pundit

[ puhn-dit ]

noun

1. a learned person, expert, or authority:

   This pundit's formal instruction in history, philosophy, and political science prepared her for activism in many campaigns.

   Synonyms: savant, guru, sage

2. a person who makes comments or judgments, especially in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator:

   Opinions masquerade as news, while ill-informed pundits and vested interests cloud the issues and bend the truth into pretzels.

3. pandit ( def ).

pundit

/ ˈpʌndɪt /

noun

1. an expert
2. (formerly) a learned person
3. Also calledpandit a Brahman learned in Sanskrit and, esp in Hindu religion, philosophy or law

Pronunciation Note

See tenet ( def ).

Other Words From

• pun·dit·ic [puhn-, dit, -ik], adjective
• pun·dit·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pundit¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from Hindi paṇḍit, from Sanskrit paṇḍita “learned man” (noun), “learned” (adjective); of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to prajñā́ “knowledge” ( pro ¹( def ), know ¹( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pundit¹

C17: from Hindi pandit, from Sanskrit pandita learned man, from pandita learned

Example Sentences

Imagine James Carville sitting across from a group of tennis pundits grasping for why Williams hasn’t broken through yet.

From FiveThirtyEight

The matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is already full of takes, although sports pundits don’t seem content to make claims about this year’s game alone.

From FiveThirtyEight

A lot of pundits already have Few’s top-ranked team playing against No.

From Washington Post

I have heard some pundits say that you can’t win a boat race with Kansas City.

From FiveThirtyEight

For many conservative pundits, however, Parler serves as just another soapbox for the same messages they already share widely elsewhere.

From Washington Post

A politician or pundit screws up on one, and is made fun of on the other.

From The Daily Beast

On Fox News Sunday, conservative pundit George Will compared the mind-set of Americans today to the Ronald Reagan years.

From The Daily Beast

Her message of increased military power did not please the progressive wing of the Sunday pundit class.

From The Daily Beast

On Fox News Sunday, liberal pundit Juan Williams suggested the minority who support impeachment have several things in common.

From The Daily Beast

But Ball recovered and went on to create a successful career as a pundit.

From The Daily Beast

The pundit still had his eye on our friend when the shriek and the whirr of the express from the north was heard.

From Project Gutenberg

Lopez walked quickly up towards the edge of the platform, when the pundit followed him, telling him that this was not his train.

From Project Gutenberg

A pundit hopes to be paid when he handles luggage, but has no such expectation when he merely gives information.

From Project Gutenberg

As he did so the pundit called to him, and then made a rush at him,—for our friend's back was turned to the coming train.

From Project Gutenberg

The pundit places a small island in the northern half, and adds the legend “Monastery on Island.”

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• buff
• cognoscenti
• expert
• intellectual
• philosopher
• professor
• scholar
• thinker