anti-intellectualism

American  

[an-tee-in-tl-ek-choo-uh-liz-uhm, an-tahy‑] / ˌæn tiˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əˌlɪz əm, ˌæn taɪ‑ /

noun

1. opposition to or hostility toward intellectuals and the modern academic, artistic, social, religious, and other theories associated with them.

   These “denial” movements are manifestations of a growing anti-intellectualism arising against science and scientists.

2. the belief or doctrine that intellect and reason are less important than actions and emotions in solving practical problems and understanding reality.

   Much of the country’s cultural history reflects a swinging back and forth between collective action and a rugged individualism based on anti-intellectualism.

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Etymology

Origin of anti-intellectualism

anti- ( def. ) + intellectualism

Example Sentences

“There is growing in this country a wave of anti-intellectualism which is violently opposed to free speech and free expression,” he said.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2025

This idea may not seem all that radical, but anti-intellectualism runs deep in the American theater.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2023

“I think there’s a rising tide of anti-intellectualism in this country, and it’s really hard to see because there’s nothing wrong with being educated and learning things,” she said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2023

In the decades since the Vietnam memorial opened, Americans have become increasingly sophisticated in their anti-intellectualism, tenacious skeptics of ambiguity, adept at finding dark meaning in public art.

From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2022

If so, the experimentalist is bound to reply that he is as willing, and as unwilling, to be welcomed to the ranks of intellectualism as to those of anti-intellectualism.

From Creative Intelligence Essays in the Pragmatic Attitude by Bode, Boyd H.