KNOWLEDGE Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'knowledge' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of knowledge are erudition , learning , and scholarship . While all these words mean "what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind," knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience. // rich in the knowledge of human nature

Q: In what contexts can 'erudition' take the place of 'knowledge'?

While in some cases nearly identical to knowledge , erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning. // an erudition unusual even in a scholar

Q: When would 'learning' be a good substitute for 'knowledge'?

The words learning and knowledge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling. // a book that demonstrates vast learning

Q: Where would 'scholarship' be a reasonable alternative to 'knowledge'?

In some situations, the words scholarship and knowledge are roughly equivalent. However, scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation. // a work of first-rate literary scholarship

knowledge

noun

ˈnä-lij

Definition of knowledge next

as in science

a body of facts learned by study or experience the forest ranger shared some of his vast knowledge of the woods with us a knowledge of local customs

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Relevance

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as in literacy

the understanding and information gained from being educated the purpose of the tests is to evaluate how much knowledge you have gained in a particular subject

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as in awareness

a state of being aware my knowledge that I was watching a true story made the film more compelling

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun knowledge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of knowledge are erudition, learning, and scholarship. While all these words mean "what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind," knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

In what contexts can erudition take the place of knowledge?

While in some cases nearly identical to knowledge, erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

When would learning be a good substitute for knowledge?

The words learning and knowledge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

Where would scholarship be a reasonable alternative to knowledge?

In some situations, the words scholarship and knowledge are roughly equivalent. However, scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

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 knowledge On Monday, Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla engineer who was appointed by the new administration to head technology efforts at the General Services Administration, told some staffers that A.I. would be a key part of their cost-reduction work, according to four people with knowledge of the conversation. —

Kate Conger, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2025 However, to their knowledge, the three employees on leave said there's no official list or way of matching the employees on administrative leave with the training programs. —

Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2025 Fox has sold at least 10 of its Super Bowl commercial spots for upward of $8 million each, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to CNN. —

Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025 Researchers have used this knowledge to get a better grasp on the P versus NP problem. —

Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for knowledge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knowledge

Noun

Read: The science behind basketball’s biggest debate Instead, when attempting to acquire a household name, teams now must typically resort to trading for one.

— Jordan Sargent, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2025
Psych 101 is a class that was regularly offered as a liberal arts credit that was acceptable to the science degrees like engineering and physics and chemistry.

— Beth Anderson, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025