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

Anti-intellectualism and the counterculture it is inspiring will prove to be rich soil for the next generation of progress to cultivate.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2023

Anti-intellectualism is essential; none of the superheroes seems to read books, except Professor X of X-Men.

From The Guardian • Nov. 10, 2018

Anti-intellectualism is as much a form of snobbery as anti-pretension, a state of dynamic Hegelian tension that the rock group Pulp so cleverly observed in their 1990 hit, Common People.

From The Guardian • Feb. 21, 2016

Anti-intellectualism, argues Hofstadter, is part and parcel of any popular democracy.

From Time Magazine Archive

Anti-intellectualism has been as integral a part of American culture as the drive for universal education, and the fact that both have existed concurrently may account for the low status of teachers.

From Time Magazine Archive