wonk

noun

ˈwäŋk How to pronounce wonk (audio)
Definition of wonknext
as in nerd
a person slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits the candidate has an army of policy wonks ready to write for him a position paper on virtually any issue

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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 wonk In the hours after splashdown, space wonks noticed a large, unusual-looking white patch on the otherwise dark and scorched heat shield. — Denise Chow, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026 This isn't a command-line interface just for hardcore wonks, either. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026 Policy wonks and software engineers were turned away at the door of the conservative tech think tank Foundation for American Innovation’s reception on Monday evening, held at MAGA hot spot Butterworth’s. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 Policy wonks are often the main turnouts when the Federal Reserve seeks public comment on a new rule for banks. — Tom Schoenberg, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wonk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wonk
  1. nerd
  2. geek
Noun
  • That’s what has kept it from thriving in South Florida for decades, despite early efforts by pioneering plant nerds.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • At first, these data would be cryptic—who besides the biggest air-pollution nerd would know the difference between 35 μg/m3 of particulate matter (yellow-level risk, per the AQI) and 60 μg/m3 (red-level risk)?
    — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of nerd
Noun
  • Holland’s jittery, earnest, winsome take on the iconic 64-year-old comic iconic was instantly likable, radiating teen-geek charisma.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
  • In that sense, this year’s SDCC felt somewhat like a changing of the geek guard.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 28 July 2026
Definition of geek

Browse Nearby Words

wondrousness
wonk
wonks
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Cite this Entry

“Wonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wonk. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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