LITERARY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

literary

adjective

ˈli-tə-ˌrer-ē

Definition of literary

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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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 literary With the work still in copyright, Christie’s literary estate is managed by her great-grandson, James Prichard, CEO of Agatha Christie Limited. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Unlike some literary adaptations, the film also didn’t require audiences to know much of anything about Malerman’s source novel or Savage’s previous work as a horror director. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026 The texts, in French and English, originate from three late literary sources—Roland Barthes, Aimé Césaire, and George Orwell. — Amy Verner, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 According to Sapiro, the Academy is looking for ambitious, influential literature that has spawned a new literary movement. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for literary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary

Adjective

Plath is shown not as a passive victim of despair, but as a brilliant intellectual and visionary poet.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 16 Oct. 2026
In the process, Hall, Woodford, and other scholars helped breathe new life into the ideas of economics giant John Maynard Keynes, whose intellectual legacy, for a time, seemed in danger of melting away.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of intellectual

Adjective

The experts, who had all studied AI in academic settings, all brought up the ironies of the automation problem, where AI makes errors that humans can’t catch.

— Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026
His main issues are declining enrollment, academic struggles, teacher turnover and family engagement.

— Sophia Veneziano, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of academic

Adjective

Celebrities were feeling bookish at Sunday’s Valentino show, as Alessandro Michele’s latest fashion week guest list arrived at the library.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
In the midst of the festivities, among a crowd of bookish faculty and graduate students, Annie and Wendy convinced an overheated newspaper photographer who’d been sent to cover the event to abandon his turtleneck.

— Robert P. Baird, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bookish

Adjective

The coming-of-age drama, based on Coffey’s life, follows a high school student with mild cerebral palsy trying to wrestle for the school’s scholastic wrestling team.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
The district boasts 15 elementary schools — among them a regional gifted center, one scholastic academy and two Montessori schools.

— Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of scholastic

Adjective

Among them was Maria Edgeworth, an erudite woman who helped shape how the emerging field of economics reached the wider world.

— Julia R. Cartwright, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
In depicting the highs and lows of a fictional presidential administration — that of erudite, strong-willed Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) — Aaron Sorkin’s series pulled in millions of viewers and plenty of awards, including 26 Primetime Emmys.

— Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of erudite

Browse Nearby Words

literalness

literary

literate

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

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Synonyms of literary

adjective

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