SCHOLAR Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

scholar

noun

ˈskä-lər

Definition of scholar

as in teacher

a person of deep wisdom or learning scholars have long debated whether there is ever such a thing as a truly selfless act

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in expert

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field a scholar who is a specialist in the history of ancient Greece

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in student

one who attends a school a competition for promising young scholars from across the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 scholar Kyle Stanley, a media scholar at the University of Nevada, Reno who has studied the MCU, noted that Iron Man was a lower-level hero when the company decided to build a movie around him, and Downey was not the kind of star who anchored blockbusters. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 After the intro, Baird introduces Said’s interest in memory and who gets to define history, focusing on the scholar’s early years. — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026 Other scholars have called egalitarian societies a scientific origin myth. — Christopher Von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026 Drawing on authoritarianism scholars, the piece contends that linking criticism of Trump to hostility toward America can stigmatize dissent and make opponents appear to be enemies of the country. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scholar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scholar

Noun

The story plays out in New York’s cutthroat acting scene, where a talented Indian actor chasing his craft falls under the sway of Keitel’s teacher.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
The teenager loved Kennedale High School and was cherished by his classmates and teachers, the post read.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of teacher

Noun

Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
The weekly newsletter offers readers savings tips, expert answers to your questions and weekly challenges to help boost savings.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of expert

Noun

The demonstrators ended up on the steps of the Lincoln Park Zoo’s administrative office, where students took turns at a megaphone.

— Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
This includes — but is not limited to — professors, scholars, research assistants, students, teachers, au pairs and camp counselors.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of student

Noun

Just like Amanda’s countryside retreat, this two-bedroom cottage in quaint Southrop—a small village in the heart of the Cotswolds—features stone masonry, a tiled roof, and even uses the same sage-green color across its window frames and front door.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
The Tío Xavier persona that Becerra supporters have trotted out — a kind, chuckling sage — isn’t what California needs right now.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of sage

Noun

Zhang plays optimistic puzzle master Florence, and Sula is Conrad’s estranged daughter and criminal psychologist Astrid.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Ted was accepted into a master’s program in data science at Columbia, but her own acceptance was at UC Berkeley.

— Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of master

Noun

Blackwell was astounded that Morgan was the pupil who took the program’s mission the furthest, surpassing the efforts of NFL players and affecting people well before he’s turned 21.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
By 1976, school districts with the lowest percentage of white students, which were often our country’s poorest, had the highest per-pupil spending in America.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of pupil

Noun

His only drum teacher, a Dublin jazz player, briefly tried to show a young Mullen how to play like the virtuoso Steve Gadd.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Great virtuosi such as violinist Isaac Stern, pianist Van Cliburn, soprano Leontyne Price and hosts of other incredible artists, both American and from abroad, blessed our concert halls with their dazzling artistry.

— Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of virtuoso

Browse Nearby Words

schnozzles

scholar

scholarly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scholar

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes