academically
adverb
ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly
ˌa-kə-ˈde-mi-k(ə-)lē 
: in an academic way: such as
a
: with regard to formal studies or academics
doing well academically
academically advanced students
And it has made them more appealing to colleges, which have grown more welcoming as they find that homeschoolers do fine academically.—
Linda Perlstein
Linda Perlstein… fans and coaches at academically elite institutions would say that, yes, they were handicapped by stricter admissions policies, but in the long run, brains win out over brawn.—Mark Bechtel
Mark Bechtel
b
: in a theoretical or speculative way without practical application
That scheme for bottling beer is interesting—but only academically. Down here, we don't bottle it, but drink it.—H. L. Mencken
H. L. Mencken
c
: in a way that conforms to the tradition or rules of a school (as of literature or art)
The big problems arise with his paintings as artworks. His audacity with the brush is vitiated by academically fussy composition.—Peter Schjeldahl
Peter SchjeldahlExamples of academically in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In other words, what an academically gifted 18-year-old gets from paying Ivy League tuition is exposure to more people like themselves.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Despite this, Hartford students are still underperforming academically due to high poverty.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
During congressional testimony in January, neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath argued that Gen Z — the generation with the dubious distinction of being the first to have technology widely integrated into their education — is underperforming academically compared with their parents.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Her mother is dyslexic; Alcock, too, struggled academically.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for academically
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Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Despite this, Hartford students are still underperforming academically due to high poverty.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
During congressional testimony in January, neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath argued that Gen Z — the generation with the dubious distinction of being the first to have technology widely integrated into their education — is underperforming academically compared with their parents.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Her mother is dyslexic; Alcock, too, struggled academically.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for academically
Cite this Entry
“Academically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academically. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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