anti-intellectual

American  

[an-tee-in-tl-ek-choo-uhl, an-tahy‑] / ˌæn tiˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əl, ˌæn taɪ‑ /

Also anti-intellectualist

noun

1. a person opposed to or hostile toward intellectuals and the modern academic, artistic, social, religious, and other theories associated with them.

2. a person who believes that intellect and reason are less important than actions and emotions in solving practical problems and understanding reality.

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of anti-intellectuals or their beliefs.

Other Word Forms

• anti-intellectualism
  noun
• anti-intellectualistic
  adjective
• anti-intellectuality
  noun

Etymology

Origin of anti-intellectual

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

“Having something where you can sit down and be intellectual in a world that is increasingly anti-intellectual is a breath of fresh air,” Kolts said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

Experts say the trade thrived from the mid-1960s to the 1990s -- a period of instability that saw the anti-intellectual Khmer Rouge regime rise to power and left precious heritage unprotected.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

That anti-intellectual tradition is still with us, of course, and traces back to the Puritans' culture of the simple.

From Salon • May 26, 2025

Outsiders often think of Los Angeles as an anti-intellectual place, all Hollywood glitz and no substance, but writers have always been drawn to my hometown.

From New York Times • May 17, 2023

“Anybody can see through that whole anti-intellectual pose thing, Miss Drinks at Harvard Club,” Blaine said.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie