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.

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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

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

From Salon

Many of us are anti-intellectual and don't want to think.

From Salon

“Maybe if you’d done your job, we wouldn’t need to live in a dome,” Ray huffs to his petulant, anti-intellectual roommate.

From New York Times

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

He also cited a passage from the letter which referred to him — and Mr. Kirk — as “purveyors of hate,” with an “anti-intellectual agenda,” among other things.

From Washington Times