AUTODIDACTIC Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

autodidactic

adjective

Definition of autodidactic

as in self-taught

having skills or knowledge acquired through one's own efforts without formal training an autodidactic painter, John Singleton Copley learned his craft from books purchased from England

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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 autodidactic His autodidactic impulses may lead him to the history of clock towers or to the interplanetary rarity of wood. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for autodidactic

Adjective

Acevedo’s debut pic follows Andrés, a young Chilean muleteer and self-taught musician who leaves his hometown to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician in Mexico.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Primarily self-taught, Drexler often worked at an intimate scale, mostly for practical reasons.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-taught

Adjective

Nearly a third of the stocks held by amateur traders are also held by hedge funds and other quintessentially aggressive pros, a record share.

— RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
In the last few months, sea creatures such as whale and hammerhead sharks, devil rays, wahoos and other fish species have been seen by beachgoers and amateur anglers from Orange County to Malibu.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of amateur

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autocrats

autodidactic

autoerotic

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“Autodidactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autodidactic. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of autodidactic

adjective

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