theorist

noun

the·​o·​rist ˈthē-ə-rist How to pronounce theorist (audio)
ˈthir-ist
Synonyms of theoristnext
: a person who theorizes

Examples of theorist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The legal theorist Lani Guinier argued in the nineteen-nineties that winner-take-all elections endangered Black individuals like her, who made up only ten per cent of voters. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 The new work allowed theorists to work more efficiently and push their calculations further. — Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026 This great theorist of language and thought becomes The Argonauts’ first ray of clarity, bringing high seamlessly together with low already on page 1. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026 An analytical number theorist and an expert in partial differential equations often don’t speak the same language. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for theorist

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of theorist was in 1588

Phrases Containing theorist

Browse Nearby Words

theorise
theorist
theorization
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Theorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theorist. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

theorist

noun
the·​o·​rist ˈthē-ə-rəst How to pronounce theorist (audio)
ˈthi(-ə)r-əst
: a person who theorizes

More from Merriam-Webster on theorist

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