HIGHBROW Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

highbrow 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of highbrow

as in intellectual

much given to learning and thinking finally, a TV series that appeals to a highbrow audience

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

highbrow

2 of 2

noun

ˈhī-ˌbrau̇

as in nerd

a person with strong intellectual interests guests at her elegant dinner parties are a mix of the city's highbrows and captains of industry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 highbrow

Adjective

After all, The Odyssey’s initial success has both a highbrow and a lowbrow element to it. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 On the Approval Matrix, on this particular night, The Bear is smack in the middle of highbrow and lowbrow, and fully on the side of brilliant, with no hints of the despicable. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Noun

The roll call of films ranges from the highbrow to the decidedly grungy, the menu of a true movie fanatic. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023 Tár is its highbrow counterpart, teasing and celebrating the same personal crisis and class issues. — Armond White, National Review, 27 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for highbrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for highbrow

Adjective

Walzer thought the matter through aloud with me, at one point letting out a small chuckle at his intellectual perplexity.

— Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
The 500-piece collection reflects the Black writers who have shaped her intellectual and artistic growth.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of intellectual

Adjective

The law does not apply to scholarly activities, student activities and groups or creative engagements, according to the 5th Circuit.

— Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The law does not apply to scholarly activities, student activities and groups or creative engagements, according to the Fifth Circuit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of scholarly

Browse Nearby Words

highbred

highbrow

highbrowed

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Style

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

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Synonyms of highbrow

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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