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
Leonardo was one of history’s greatest polymaths, filling notebooks with designs across a range of disciplines, including flying machines that wouldn't be realized for centuries. — ABC News, 9 June 2026 These restless arrangements—produced by monet, polymath bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, and virtuoso drummer Justin Brown with assists from trumpeter Nico Segal and engineer Chris Connors—push outward. — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 26 May 2026 Lambert's problem was first posed all the way back in the 1700s by the Swiss polymath Johann Heinrich Lambert, who pondered how to find the optimal trajectory between two moving objects. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 May 2026 In fact, the German naturalist and polymath has been described as the person with more species – from penguins and monkeys to an orchid – and places named after him than any other human. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 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
  • For the 20th season, a callback to her first-ever tagline and also her greatest catchphrase is pretty genius.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • This is a lovely book about opera, music, 19th-century Vienna, and the psychology of genius.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of genius
Adjective
  • Original host Dave Garroway was an erudite guide who shaped the mix of news, lifestyle and human interest stories that still define morning news programs.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 June 2026
  • The work of the reclusive, forbiddingly erudite author turns out to be perfect easy-listening material.
    — Namara Smith, New Yorker, 10 June 2026
Definition of erudite
Noun
  • Jones eventually embraced a broad swath of influences ranging from the inimitable Stevie Wonder to prog-rock virtuoso Keith Emerson.
    — Dave Gil De Rubio, Daily News, 14 July 2026
  • Just two weeks after Bob Dylan guitarist Doug Lancio vanished from the tour and was replaced by jazz virtuoso Julian Lage, Bob Britt — who has played guitar in Dylan’s band since 2019 — has apparently left the group as well.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • Emanuele Maucci would never have thought of launching an editorial venture publishing books that only the literate elite would read.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
  • Anybody who is as literate and thoughtful as Tyler is inspires me.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Definition of literate
Noun
  • One of the best psych-folk albums of 2026 was made by a beekeeper and a part-time wizard.
    — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026
  • He was nominated for both an Emmy and a second Golden Globe for playing the titular Arthurian wizard in the 1998 miniseries Merlin.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of wizard
Adjective
  • Befitting his scholarly bent, Bouaddi shunned a lot of the distractions that attracted the attention of his contemporaries.
    — Tom Williams, New York Times, 9 July 2026
  • These collective actions are crucial to safeguard scholarly inquiry and faculty independence against political interference.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of scholarly
Noun
  • There was more to Dean’s philosophy, including a nod to a famous Black feminist thinker.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Classical thinkers used it to describe the capacity to feel a powerful impulse and choose not to act on it.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of thinker
Adjective
  • The 2026 World Cup has shone a spotlight on academic spaces being at the heart of the craze and fandom for Argentina in Bangladesh.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • In 2021, Brouillette pursued a certification to become a professional firefighter through a program at Southern Maine Community College, which required both academic classes and field exercises, according to court documents.
    — Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of academic

Browse Nearby Words

polyhistors
polymath
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Cite this Entry

“Polymath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polymath. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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