1
as in literate
having or displaying advanced knowledge or education
the most erudite people in medical research attended the conference an erudite lecture on the latest discoveries in astronomy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in literary
suggestive of the vocabulary used in books
the erudite language of a textbook on philosophy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 erudite
An extended farewell, an author’s valedictory flourish, the whole package is a culmination of sorts, shimmering with his silky, erudite prose; beneath the suave surface is an earnest investigation into the mysterious ways of the human heart.
—
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
To start with the movie’s strongest asset, Fiennes is magnificent — sinewy and feral in appearance but erudite in manner, his isolation and years of living rough having done little to curb the magniloquence of a posh education.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Because even his emails are literary, this one was erudite and friendly.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The death or aging out (or buying out) of the final generation of serious and erudite editors has deeply changed the literary wing of trade publishing.
—Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erudite
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
To start with the movie’s strongest asset, Fiennes is magnificent — sinewy and feral in appearance but erudite in manner, his isolation and years of living rough having done little to curb the magniloquence of a posh education.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Because even his emails are literary, this one was erudite and friendly.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The death or aging out (or buying out) of the final generation of serious and erudite editors has deeply changed the literary wing of trade publishing.
—Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erudite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erudite
Adjective
-
According to family lore, Henry had somehow circumvented the state’s strict law against educating the enslaved and become literate.—
Eugene Robinson,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The study contributes to the academic field of ethnomathematics, which identifies mathematical knowledge embedded in cultural expression by prehistoric or non-literate communities.—
Jasmin Sykes,
CNN Money,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In fact, director William Wyler’s 1939 Hollywood adaptation — with its ostentatious outfits and romantic focus — feels like a better companion piece than the original literary source material.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The other literary work Gaumont is bringing to screen is ‘The Wandering Harlot’.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Except for Susan, none of the children appeared to be genetically related to Silvia, Song told me, because Guojun wanted egg donors who were younger, non-Asian, and more educated.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Ricart, a former chair of the National Automobile Dealers Association, has seen that rate double at his lot as consumers have become more educated.—
Summer Ballentine,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The fact that Katherine had been institutionalized may have tainted her scholarly reputation.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Brown-Grier argued that this knowledge gap is not just a scholarly problem but a governance one.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In an era when roads were still rough and driving was still novel, electric automobiles seemed civilized.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
-
There is a much more civilized way to do this that involves working together with state officials opposed to inserting the administration’s will on a state whose citizens have stood up for their neighbors and said this is not right!—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Erudite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erudite. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
