intellectualism

noun

in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al·​ism ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce intellectualism (audio)
-chə-ˌli-, 
-shwə-ˌli-, 
-chü(-ə)-ˌli-
Synonyms of intellectualismnext
: devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits
intellectualist
ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-list How to pronounce intellectualism (audio)
-chə-list, 
-shwə-list, 
-chü(-ə)-list
noun or adjective
intellectualistic
ˌin-tə-ˌlek-chə-wə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce intellectualism (audio)
-chə-ˈli-, 
-shwə-ˈli-, 
-chü(-ə)-ˈli-
adjective

Examples of intellectualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
One fascination of this brave book—brave in its disclosures but more so in its demands, its spiritual rigor, and its ardent intellectualism—lies in watching the eloquent, intelligent sufferer steadily entrapping herself. — James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 These critiques were amplified by Black content creators and the general social media audience, who took issue with the genre’s Eurocentric portrayal of knowledge and intellectualism. — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026 Fans of trivia like to say that caring so deeply about these facts at a time of disinformation and anti-intellectualism is an act of defiance—that picking up trivia is a way to keep knowledge from being disappeared. — Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026 The mix of academic-level intellectualism and gross-out outrageousness fits the mood Riley wants to conjure. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intellectualism

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intellectualism was in 1800

Rhymes for intellectualism

See All Rhymes for intellectualism

Browse Nearby Words

intellectual history
intellectualism
intellectualist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intellectualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectualism. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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