anti-intellectual

Also an·ti-in·tel·lec·tu·al·ist

[an-tee-in-tl-ek-choo-uhl, an-tahy‑]

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of anti-intellectual¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Its symbiosis with a political era that is reactionary, anti-intellectual and xenophobic should be clear.

From Salon

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

From Salon

Today’s Republicans are largely anti-intellectual fascists, which explains why you do not see many of them as faculty or in leadership roles at good colleges or universities.

From Salon

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

From Salon

Protestantism in the US south tends to have a strong anti-intellectual background.

From BBC