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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Recent Examples of nerdy
In fact, that sharing was part of the impetus for her latest project, a graphic novel retelling of the Greek myth of Philonoe called The Lost Daughter of Sparta, which is both pretty nerdy and supremely cool.
—
Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
In interviews, the 26-year-old electro-pop artist and producer has referenced growing up as one of few Asian teenagers in Wichita, Kansas, and feeling perpetually nerdy and uncool.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
This family-run business brings a delightful mix of humor with nerdy plant know-how.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
This spring, the nerdy nostalgist can find several depictions of campus life on their small screen.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
When not swallowing condoms of cocaine, Rue camps on the couch of nerdy Lexi (Maude Apatow), who, like the resilient Maddy (Alexa Demie), found an assistant job in Hollywood.
—Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026
The career mode now gets real-world sponsors; there are new, super-nerdy widgets for the HUD that detail the innerworkings of the powertrain and ECU; track art, foliage, and environmental lighting have seen a lift; and AI has been further balanced, just to name a few other touch-ups.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 25 Mar. 2026
Brendon's character was beloved for his ability to transform insecurity, irony, and vulnerability into a new model of nerdy masculinity.
—Marzia Nicolini, Vanity Fair, 21 Mar. 2026
Sporting a tan fedora and stuffing his hands in his pockets, Weir has a half smile that’s always primed for a nerdy joke.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
In interviews, the 26-year-old electro-pop artist and producer has referenced growing up as one of few Asian teenagers in Wichita, Kansas, and feeling perpetually nerdy and uncool.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
This family-run business brings a delightful mix of humor with nerdy plant know-how.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
This spring, the nerdy nostalgist can find several depictions of campus life on their small screen.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
When not swallowing condoms of cocaine, Rue camps on the couch of nerdy Lexi (Maude Apatow), who, like the resilient Maddy (Alexa Demie), found an assistant job in Hollywood.
—Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026
The career mode now gets real-world sponsors; there are new, super-nerdy widgets for the HUD that detail the innerworkings of the powertrain and ECU; track art, foliage, and environmental lighting have seen a lift; and AI has been further balanced, just to name a few other touch-ups.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 25 Mar. 2026
Brendon's character was beloved for his ability to transform insecurity, irony, and vulnerability into a new model of nerdy masculinity.
—Marzia Nicolini, Vanity Fair, 21 Mar. 2026
Sporting a tan fedora and stuffing his hands in his pockets, Weir has a half smile that’s always primed for a nerdy joke.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerdy
Adjective
-
Such an education feeds their curiosity, safeguards their intellectual humility, and develops their capacity for empathy.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The pair bonded immediately through an insatiable intellectual exchange — conversations that formed the basis of many of LaSota’s future blog posts — as well as their experiences navigating their respective gender transitions.—
Tessa Stuart,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her cause of death was determined to be a cerebral hemorrhage, per CNN.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
For something a little more cerebral, try 2023's Daddio, which might have slipped under your radar.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Australian screen and stage veteran Kate Fitzpatrick plays Becky, a feisty grandmother whose role is so familiar that her banter with geeky Matt across the aisle (Richard Croughley) will later include him good-naturedly dropping a Shelley Winters reference.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Tapping celebrity guests like A$AP Rocky and Tame Impala for an album of silky cosmic funk, Thundercat channels the id of the geeky, emotionally maladjusted loner.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Pitchfork,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
From the scholarly and enlightened to the tough and intimidating, people of all walks of life and cultural backgrounds love a good, thick face of hair.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise, scholarly exchanges are picking up.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerdy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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