NERDY Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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 nerdy 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 Later, another nerdy boy will fall prey to their antics, yet there’s no gruesome violence on sight, only a melancholic and ethereal exorcizing of the demons that plague Emily’s heart. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 July 2026 The records sold out in a matter of days, and nerdy online chatter escalated with each repress. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 July 2026 Played by Ella Bruccoleri, the show’s Mary is recontextualized as a sweet, nerdy girl out of step with her time and beaten down by her mother’s assertions that her looks and personality will exclude her from a successful match. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerdy

Adjective

Living with the uncertainty about what the future might hold was exciting, overwhelming, an intellectual challenge as well as an emotional one.

— Annie Karni, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Her accomplishments reflect the creativity, intellectual curiosity, and ambition that define Rutgers graduates, and her connection to New Jersey makes this recognition especially meaningful.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of intellectual

Adjective

The cerebral Cady that Bardem inhabits spent nearly two decades in prison convicted for his wife’s murder.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
His appreciation for Twardzik, a tough and cerebral floor general for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1970s, is a deeper cut.

— Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of cerebral

Adjective

That means regular public access through exhibitions, posted hours, or tours, along with educational programs, lectures, and publications, scholarly research access, and rigorous cataloging.

— Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Young told the court about his chaotic upbringing and his recent scholarly pursuits.

— Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of scholarly

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nerds

nerdy

Nereid

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“Nerdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerdy. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of nerdy

adjective

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