Meaning & use
intellectualism
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The exercise or advocacy of intellect and reasoned thought, often emphasized over emotion or instinct; devotion to intellectual pursuits.
See it in a sentence
The university prided itself on a culture of intellectualism and rigorous debate.
Critics accused the film of shallow intellectualism, dropping big ideas without exploring them.
A note on using this word
In philosophy, 'intellectualism' can refer specifically to the doctrine that knowledge derives from reason rather than experience.
Words with a similar meaning
rationalismerudition
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
anti-intellectualism
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