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
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 One artist who inspired Kelela’s approach to world-building is her close friend Solange Knowles, a polymath whose work includes music, performance art, design, teaching and amplifying Black artistry through her Saint Heron platform. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 Jane Remover is a trans polymath producer and singer-songwriter with influences across rave, shoegaze, trap and beyond. — Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 Inspired by the German polymath Alexander von Humboldt’s travels in South America and his ensuing argument for the interdependence of all natural entities, the young Church embarked on a nearly seven-month expedition in Humboldt’s footsteps. — Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 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
  • McCollough thought Watts was a comedic genius, and the pair shared a similar sense of humor, establishing their own bits and improvisational riffs.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And so in this parable then, as far as like when we are impressed by something seemingly genius that AI is doing, what is our lesson?
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of genius
Adjective
  • Like Dante, Nick Tosches was an undaunted character whose tongue-twisting prose was an iconoclastic mash-up of realism and intricate, erudite lyricism.
    — A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Prolific author and erudite British import David Thomson has been writing about film for more than six decades.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of erudite
Noun
  • Peart was a one-of-a-kind virtuoso, one of the greatest drummers rock ever knew, his monstrously complex parts so intrinsic to Rush’s sound that the idea of replacing him long seemed unfathomable.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The decade featured some of the most revered and celebrated virtuosos to ever walk the planet, both critically and commercially.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • Luwi considered Koiye the first person in Waieti to become literate.
    — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The film still opened to a rather good $47 million globally (probably not helped by its title, which is fitting and literate but doesn’t really sell what the movie is about).
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of literate
Noun
  • Players can also customize a walking castle and investigate a mystery involving missing wizards.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This sequel series to Wizards of Waverly Place follows Justin Russo’s family of young wizards.
    — Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of wizard
Adjective
  • The menu is a scholarly affair, with drinks organized by decade and, beyond that, origin location.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Katz is known for a curatorial ethos that places scholarly rigor and popular appeal on equal footing.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of scholarly
Noun
  • It’s been my privilege to learn, from scholars and thinkers and writers far more deeply rooted than myself in the American west, about its realities and relentless contradictions.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Muslim thinkers debated how to revitalize their societies and overcome colonial domination.
    — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of thinker
Adjective
  • For students learning online, Darren Harper, the lead academic and enrichment counselor at Crimson Global Academy, says to invest in a quality headset.
    — Adrienne Farr, Parents, 15 Aug. 2026
  • After four years of medical school, plus two more of academic research and clinical rotations, our son Asher was ready to begin his surgical residency at a prominent New York hospital.
    — Allan Ripp, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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