Pseudointellectual

Origin

-("false, fake") + intellectual

Full definition of pseudointellectual

Noun

1. Someone who pretends to be more intelligent than they are.

Usage notes

Usage is fraught, and pseudointellectual may be used as a general term of abuse for intellectuals one dislikes or disagrees with. Nevertheless, in more careful use a rather clear distinction is drawn:

See the Sydney Harris reference for detailed criteria. a pseudointellectual is someone dishonestly or insincerely using the language, style, or topics of an intellectual, but who lacks the goals, morals, or ability of a “genuine” intellectual. It is someone who acts pretentiously and wishes to win an argument or impress, rather than modestly trying to find the truth – a focus on surface and rhetoric over content. These often involve a superficial understanding of a subject and condescension to the audience, as well as possible self-delusion (not being consciously dishonest, but rather sincerely thinking themself to be behaving as a genuine intellectual despite their incompetence).

Synonyms

• pseud
• pseudo

Adjective

1. Pretentiously or insincerely intellectual. Nonsense.