AUTODIDACTIC Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

autodidactic

adjective

Definition of autodidactic

as in self-taught

having skills or knowledge acquired through one's own efforts without formal training an autodidactic painter, John Singleton Copley learned his craft from books purchased from England

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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 autodidactic His autodidactic impulses may lead him to the history of clock towers or to the interplanetary rarity of wood. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for autodidactic

Adjective

Acevedo’s debut pic follows Andrés, a young Chilean muleteer and self-taught musician who leaves his hometown to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician in Mexico.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Primarily self-taught, Drexler often worked at an intimate scale, mostly for practical reasons.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-taught

Adjective

The world of June Marple, the elderly amateur detective Christie featured in a dozen novels and 20 short stories, is considerably quainter.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2026
This new class of flamethrowing amateur diplomats has little reason to pursue the humdrum work of nurturing ties.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of amateur

Browse Nearby Words

autocrats

autodidactic

autoerotic

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“Autodidactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autodidactic. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of autodidactic

adjective

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