as in learned
suggestive of the vocabulary used in books
the novel's dialogue is a little too literary in flavor to be entirely convincing
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Recent Examples of literary
Fennell knew the film hinged on the casting of Cathy and Heathcliff, two iconic literary characters who have been portrayed by a multitude of actors over the years, including Laurence Olivier, Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes.
—
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
This is in contrast to themes found in previous years on half of the floats, such as sea creatures and literary styles.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Consider that a human chess grandmaster might lack street smarts, and that a literary theorist might struggle with algebra.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
This week’s literary geography quiz highlights thriller and mystery novels set in towns around the United States.
—J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literary
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
This is in contrast to themes found in previous years on half of the floats, such as sea creatures and literary styles.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Consider that a human chess grandmaster might lack street smarts, and that a literary theorist might struggle with algebra.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
This week’s literary geography quiz highlights thriller and mystery novels set in towns around the United States.
—J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary
Adjective
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What made the incident even more striking was that most of Audubon Zoo’s sleepy lizards were bred in captivity, implying the reaction was an innate response instead of learned behavior.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Sep. 2025
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This kind of trading is seen as a form of learned behavior, where dogs associate a specific action with a reward.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Mystic trust in the power of Mercury or whatever spans generations and intellectual capacities.—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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But these associations were purely intellectual.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Robb demonstrates excellence in both her academic and extracurricular pursuits.—
Darla Rivera,
Oklahoman,
9 Feb. 2026
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However, the ability to choose an educational environment that truly fits our child has not only improved their academic performance, but also their overall happiness and outlook on life.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Travelers who want a base with a bookish atmosphere, where renowned writers crafted masterpieces, and with plenty of cozy corners to dive into a good book, have some page-turning prospects, from London to San Diego’s Coronado Island.—
Lindsay Cohn,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
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Daeron Targaryen Daeron Targaryen, otherwise known as Daeron the Drunkard, is a bookish and melancholy Targaryen prince known for his prophetic dreams.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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At the heart of this debate seems to be both a misunderstanding of the point of scholastic sports and a view, at least by some, that trans girls have an unfair physical advantage.—
Peter Jensen,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2026
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In a white paper released in October, the committee recommends moving the men’s game, and perhaps the women’s, from the current fall-only schedule to one that covers the entire scholastic year and culminates in an April playoff festival.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The behind-the-scenes footage of the series, some of it previously unaired, allows viewers to see Walsh’s full range — erudite professor, taskmaster, West Coast offense wizard and comic cut-up.—
Daniel Brown,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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Aside from long, immersive game drives without another car in sight, the erudite, passionate guides take guests on nature walks or to visit RISE, an innovative research center on site where scientists are using data to inform conservation solutions.—
Jennifer Flowers,
AFAR Media,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literary. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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