nerdy

adjective

as in intellectual
much given to learning and thinking a fringe party of nerdy political activists who have no chance of getting elected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nerdy All this should be very exciting for fans who have long known one of their favorite games is still unbelievably nerdy and cheesy, but still wanted to see it in the mainstream. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026 These polyester fits have also been parodied in video skits, where comedians put on an all-over polyester print outfit, like a wolf T-shirt and galaxy pants, and parody the stereotypical nerdy kid. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Spider-Man, in his original incarnation, was really just a nerdy teen named Peter Parker who readers could relate to, and the installments starring Holland have replicated that zippy, youthful energy. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 There will no longer be a need for a nerdy developer with no people skills. — Kiran Kodithala, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The duo encourages fans to do the same at upcoming shows in New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles this fall—like the friendship bracelet’s nerdy big sister or adult DIY Scholastic Book Fairs. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 5 Aug. 2026 But the film overflows with childlike wonder, a comic-strip dream of girls next door and nerdy weirdoes growing muscles with puberty. — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026 Premiering in 2007, The Big Bang Theory followed a group of nerdy scientists at Caltech. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026 For the rest of us that the nerdy reference evaded, Jarvis recently won Atlanta's starting SS job, and manager Walt Weiss won't stop raving about the 25-year-old speedster. — John Laghezza, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerdy
  1. intellectual
  2. cerebral
  3. geeky
  4. scholarly
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
  • 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
  • Just as the geeky navel-gazing threatens to become tedious, a joke or a wink keeps the audience laughing and focused on the fantastical story Schoenbrun actually wants to tell—which isn’t a genuine slasher at all.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • A bit geeky and has achieved great things in his career, but could probably walk down the street and not be recognised.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of geeky
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

Browse Nearby Words

nerds
nerdy
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Cite this Entry

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

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