academic 1 of 2

adjective

ˌa-kə-ˈde-mik How to pronounce academic (audio)
variants also academical
Definition of academicnext
1
as in educational
of or relating to schooling or learning especially at an advanced level "If you spent more time in academic pursuits and less time in social ones, you could easily make good grades," the dean told Valerie

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2
as in intellectual
very learned or educated but inexperienced in practical matters academic thinkers who have no understanding of realpolitik

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3
as in theoretical
existing only as an assumption or speculation your arguments are merely academic—such a worst-case scenario is unlikely to ever occur

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academic

2 of 2

noun

1
as in academe

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2
as in scholar

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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 academic
Adjective
In one particularly clever study, a group of researchers had students predict the academic performance of other students after interviewing them. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 This is true for ALE too, which academic researchers have studied extensively in an attempt to improve processes or address its low throughput. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
Wilson is not your stereotypical, John Houseman-type academic. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 27 July 2026 As a third-generation native of Echo Park, academic and author Natalia Molina doesn’t remember a time without Burrito King. — Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for academic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for academic
  1. educational
  2. intellectual
  3. theoretical
  4. academe
  5. scholar
  6. scholarly
  7. cerebral
  8. speculative
Adjective
  • Horn said the real risk is that any new educational program now will age badly.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The educational initiative includes sessions and behind-the-scenes learning designed to introduce participants to careers surrounding festivals and concert production.
    — Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of educational
Adjective
  • But rather than building it near the existing complex, it was constructed on vacant land in the Latin Quarter, the intellectual heart of the city.
    — Shannon Fogg, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Indeed, while Baldessari’s work might seem bland and intellectual at first glance, plenty of pieces in the show put his sense of humor on full display.
    — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of intellectual
Adjective
  • David Sloan is a theoretical physicist at Lancaster University and the Chief Scientific Officer of the Foundational Questions Institute.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Far from being a theoretical threat, at least one active attack is already exploiting the mixup.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of theoretical
Noun
  • And in the academe, there is a growing demand for nuclear science education.
    — Lorela U. Sandoval, Christian Science Monitor, 25 June 2026
  • Different goals lead to different strategies The differences between industry and academe begin with a divergence in purpose.
    — Maysam Ghovanloo, IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2026
Definition of academe
Noun
  • Pamela Herd and Donald Moynihan, two of the foremost scholars of American public administration, have identified three key types of administrative costs the government imposes on citizens.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
  • However, some scholars have noted that the author, speaker, historical circumstances, and date of composition are difficult to determine since the psalm lacks references to any historical events in ancient Israel.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of scholar
Adjective
  • Some are scholarly, some deliciously indiscreet, all are perceptive in one way or another, and one plunges wholesale into obsession.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The menu is a scholarly affair, with drinks organized by decade and, beyond that, origin location.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of scholarly
Adjective
  • Japan has selected Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s luminously cerebral French-language feature All of a Sudden as its submission for the best international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Even in the face of all that pressure, the shows — which debuted the tour’s four revolving setlists — were wildly successful, with tributes to Peart helping one of rock’s most cerebral bands hit new heights of emotional impact.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of cerebral
Adjective
  • Unitree’s recent slump has raised concerns about how Beijing may boost emerging strategic sectors without stoking a speculative frenzy.
    — Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The premise places the film inside a debate that has moved rapidly from speculative fiction into everyday working life, but Lien’s approach leans away from techno-thriller territory.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of speculative

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academic
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Cite this Entry

“Academic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/academic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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