polymath 1 of 2

noun

Definition of polymathnext
as in genius
formal someone who knows a lot about many different things She is rightly regarded as something of a polymath in her extensive knowledge of all the earth sciences.

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polymath

2 of 2

adjective

variants or polymathic
as in erudite

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of polymath
Noun
Robert Gordon The polymath author/moviemaker/historian and three-time Grammy winner has provided audiences with insight and entertainment for decades, via books, CD anthologies and documentaries that take deep dives into music, politics and culture. — John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2 Aug. 2026 Putnam was a polymath who made important strides far beyond just philosophy to mathematics, logic, computer science, and even quantum mechanics. — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Ben Franklin, the oldest founding father and polymath, stands across from George Washington, the first president of the United States. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 20 July 2026 By comparing shadows at two locations, the Greek polymath Eratosthenes becomes the first person to accurately calculate the circumference of the earth. — New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for polymath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polymath
  1. genius
  2. erudite
  3. virtuoso
  4. literate
  5. wizard
  6. scholarly
  7. thinker
  8. academic
Noun
  • The Big Bang line that made the brand a household name grew into a smash hit after its creation by the industry’s famous marketing genius, Jean-Claude Biver, in 2005.
    — Simon de Burton, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In overtime, the Rams won the toss and elected to defend first, a decision that soon proved to be genius by coach Sean McVay.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of genius
Adjective
  • Among them was Maria Edgeworth, an erudite woman who helped shape how the emerging field of economics reached the wider world.
    — Julia R. Cartwright, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In depicting the highs and lows of a fictional presidential administration — that of erudite, strong-willed Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) — Aaron Sorkin’s series pulled in millions of viewers and plenty of awards, including 26 Primetime Emmys.
    — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of erudite
Noun
  • Much has been made of Winter’s idiosyncratic star power, and as an extremely tall, wet-dog-handsome instrumental virtuoso with a one-of-a-kind voice and just enough self-aware wit and lacerating lyricism to keep it relatable, that’s indisputable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Field family relocated to London, and John studied with the Italian virtuoso Muzio Clementi.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • Highly literate working men and women were almost always in the vanguard of campaigns for social and democratic change.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Not voting in Brazil incurs a small fine as participation is mandatory for literate citizens aged 18 to 70.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of literate
Noun
  • Produced by Hollywood stunt champs 87North, the hard-hitting wizards that have been redefining fight choreography since John Wick, Violent Night 2, like its predecessor, promises heaps of gory and satisfyingly kinetic fight scenes.
    — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The team was blessed in absentia by Pope Leo XIV and routinely wanded by the wizard.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of wizard
Adjective
  • If the source is a scholarly journal article, the article’s title appears in a larger font above the additional bibliographic information.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Generating scholarly tomes at a rate of more than one a year involves obsessive amounts of research.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of scholarly
Noun
  • Most notably, some leading Chinese thinkers believe robotics could be the key to unlocking artificial general intelligence—systems capable of performing as well as or better than humans across most tasks.
    — Scott Singer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Sanabria describes himself as an independent, free thinker who wants to help improve the City Beautiful and stay true to its character.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of thinker
Adjective
  • The institute expects to add 16 subspecialty providers, expand clinical trial opportunities and house outpatient therapy, rehabilitation and neuro infusion services, along with Baptist Health’s first academic lecture theater.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Corduroy, apparently, could outfit the full range of academic achievement.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of academic

Browse Nearby Words

polyhistors
polymath
polymaths
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Cite this Entry

“Polymath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polymath. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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