cerebral

adjective

sə-ˈrē-brəl How to pronounce cerebral (audio)
Definition of cerebralnext
1
as in intellectual
much given to learning and thinking a very cerebral jurist who has given much thought to what makes our nation's constitution work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mental
of or relating to the mind a young man given more to cerebral pursuits than to sporting activities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 cerebral With both of these planets transiting Air signs, there is a cerebral side to this alignment, presenting the opportunity to channel feelings of restlessness into something resourceful. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 When he was hired in January, the prevailing thought was that the cerebral partnership between McDaniel and Herbert would prove a perfect match. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Yet despite the technical wizardry—dry-aging, fermentation, curing, meticulous butchery—the dishes never feel overly cerebral. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026 With just a handful of Hollywood stars set to grace the carpet, there’s reason to believe the fashion on show might skew considered and cerebral. — Tanya Fevzi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cerebral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cerebral
  1. intellectual
  2. mental
  3. internal
  4. inner
  5. interior
  6. psychological
Adjective
  • There is an intellectual curiosity and a real competitiveness.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Nerdy, overweight, and hyper-intellectual, Oscar never seems to fit in with his peers and is unlucky in love.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of intellectual
Adjective
  • Rituals is already active in the youth mental health space as cofounder of Super Chill, a program that uses playful mind and body exercises to help children recognize their emotions and develop mental resilience.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • If Thompson was found to be incompetent due to a mental condition, he likely won’t ever be executed.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of mental
Adjective
  • Initially, 18 full-size models were built during an internal competition called Project Renaissance, from which the winning design was selected.
    — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Yet some companies still operate on the old assumption that almost every internal system should be bought, even when AI and modern development tools make custom workflows far more feasible.
    — Malte Kramer, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of internal
Adjective
  • Read Full Review In the heart of Yankee Connecticut, Winvian Farm is a perfect retreat for the jaded captain of industry wanting to reconnect with their playful inner child.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • At the very moment AI is forcing us to ask what only a human writer can do, Americans are getting more interested in the inner life.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of inner
Adjective
  • In 2021, Estate Yountville was purchased by Boardwalk Investments Yountville, LLC, and revamped with interior and exterior updates, including the addition of century-old olive trees.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • According to the interior ministry, 488 people were detained around the high school protests Tuesday.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of interior
Adjective
  • Instead of a nanny, Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson) is a up-and-coming writer hired to help famed author Verity Crawford (Hathaway) finish her series of twisted psychological thrillers after a car accident left her unable to complete them on her own.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Josh, your book is deeply psychological and rooted in a child’s experience, following Bela’s narration and her uncertainty about what’s real.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of psychological

Browse Nearby Words

ceramics
cerebral
cerebral palsy
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Cite this Entry

“Cerebral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cerebral. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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