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
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 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 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 other two albums are devoted to the legendary bebop pianist, composer and improvisation genius Thelonius Monk.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The genius duo includes a lighter shade and a darker shade of the same undertone to create a seamless blend that doesn’t look heavy.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 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
  • Each band member was a virtuoso on his instrument, four guys creating something compelling on their own, but fitting together like a super-sonic Tetris puzzle.
    — Jonathan Schwartz, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • The teams experimenting organically, building their own use cases, are the AI-literate pockets.
    — Ayaskant Sarangi, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Hitler came to power in a highly literate Germany, but the Nazis took advantage of movies and radio to push simple messages with immediate emotional impact.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 27 July 2026
Definition of literate
Noun
  • Hoult’s Gilderoy Lockhart a notoriously vain, boastful and fame-obsessed wizard well versed in Memory Charms who is recruited by Dumbledore as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • But then they’re interrupted by Wil Wheaton, who’s a wizard in this universe.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of wizard
Adjective
  • Katz is known for a curatorial ethos that places scholarly rigor and popular appeal on equal footing.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Faculty hiring and promotion should be based on scholarly merit through peer review, not political expectations imposed from Washington.
    — Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 10 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
  • Storer was a student at Concordia University Irvine and a member of the university’s NCAA Division II swim team during the 2024 to 2025 academic school year, according to the team’s roster.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
  • According to his campaign website, his priorities include academic excellence, safe and secure schools, improving teacher pay and retention, career readiness and budget transparency.
    — Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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