pundit

[puhn-dit]

noun

1. a learned person, expert, or authority.

   This pundit's formal instruction in history, philosophy, and political science prepared her for activism in many campaigns.

   Synonyms: savant, guru, sage

2. a person who makes comments or judgments, especially in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator.

   Opinions masquerade as news, while ill-informed pundits and vested interests cloud the issues and bend the truth into pretzels.

3. pandit.

pundit

/ ˈpʌndɪt /

noun

1. an expert

2. (formerly) a learned person

3. Also called: pandit. a Brahman learned in Sanskrit and, esp in Hindu religion, philosophy or law

Pronunciation Note

See tenet ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

• punditic adjective
• punditically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pundit¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from Hindi paṇḍit, from Sanskrit paṇḍita “learned man” (noun), “learned” (adjective); of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to prajñā́ “knowledge” ( pro ¹ ( def. ), know ¹ ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pundit¹

C17: from Hindi pandit, from Sanskrit pandita learned man, from pandita learned

Example Sentences

Caluori's point of difference - his ability in the air - has earned him rave reviews from players and pundits.

Read more on BBC

The constitutional crisis that the Democrats, the news media, pundits and other public voices keep sounding the alarm about is not something in the future.

Read more on Salon

A former TV pundit, Milei came to power in December 2023 promising shock therapy for Argentina's long-ailing economy, revving a chainsaw as a symbol of his plan to slash state spending.

Read more on Barron's

And his abilities cannot be underestimated, even as former Australia forward Aaron Woods and other pundits from outside the UK have provided fuel for Wane's squad with withering comments about their quality.

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Pep Guardiola on Friday criticised pundits and former players for rushing to judgement after Manchester City's poor start to the season as he targets the Premier League summit.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• buff 
• cognoscenti 
• expert 
• intellectual 
• philosopher 
• professor 
• scholar 
• thinker