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 Interrogator centers on former MI6 agent Conrad Henry and his team of outsider geniuses, who are brought in to solve cases after conventional policing and security hasn’t worked.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • From Big Talk Studios, the International Emmy Award-winning detective drama, starring David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, follows a genius puzzle setter navigating life as a police consultant.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 7 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
  • What happens when one of the biggest crossover hits of the 21st century gets handed to a couple of banjo virtuosos?
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 8 Oct. 2026
  • His only drum teacher, a Dublin jazz player, briefly tried to show a young Mullen how to play like the virtuoso Steve Gadd.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • 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
  • In sub-Saharan Africa, only 75 percent of people between the ages of 15 and 24 are literate, and much of the continent suffers from brain drain.
    — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 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
  • The gift will support the expansion of the institution’s Asian art galleries, as well as acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs on Sri Lankan art.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The money will support acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programming, focused primarily on South Asian and Sri Lankan art.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of scholarly
Noun
  • Foreign Policy named him to its inaugural list of the world’s 100 most important global thinkers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The schools offer a broad liberal arts education, in recognition that senior leadership must be critical thinkers who can understand different points of view.
    — Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 6 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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