intellectually engaging

USAGE SUMMARY

"intellectually engaging" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, activity, or thing that actively promotes intellectual growth and curiosity. For example, you could say: "The professor's lectures on philosophy were intellectually engaging and really pushed me to think more critically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The "good" parts, at their strongest, are emotionally engaging, the "bad" ones intellectually engaging.

Vice

A lot of people find him intellectually engaging.

The New Yorker

As it turned out, Mr. Greenwood's 20-minute work was by far the most viscerally exciting and intellectually engaging of the three.

The New York Times - Arts

It's fun and easy to feel yourself on the right side of issues such as misogyny, racism, classism and gay rights - but not especially challenging or intellectually engaging.

The Guardian - Books

After 1998, when I returned to The Times, I saw him less frequently, but I always found him warm and intellectually engaging.

The New York Times - Arts

There are also many excellent students with no interest in the advanced research that is the focus of doctoral programs who would prefer non-college teaching to less intellectually engaging and less socially useful work in, say, management or sales.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He is intellectually engaged by sculpting history.

The New York Times

Their duets reflected their intellectually engaged, intimate relationship.

The Guardian

Cool, intellectually engaged and entertaining, her life sounds fuller than ever.

The Guardian

He wants them to be intellectually engaged and to cope with these very difficult surfaces.

The Guardian - Arts

Evangelicalism at its best seeks a biblically grounded expression of Christianity that is intellectually engaged, humble and forward-looking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experiences or content, use "intellectually engaging" to convey that it not only holds attention but also promotes deeper thought and understanding. For example, “The documentary was incredibly "intellectually engaging", sparking numerous discussions among viewers.”

Common error

Avoid using "intellectually engaging" when simpler terms like 'interesting' or 'captivating' would suffice. Overusing it in mundane contexts can make your writing sound pretentious. Reserve it for scenarios where genuine cognitive stimulation is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectually engaging" primarily functions as an adjective phrase used to describe something that stimulates or involves the intellect. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, often modifying nouns like 'discussion', 'activity', or 'content' to highlight their stimulating nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intellectually engaging" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that signifies something stimulating to the intellect. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it conveys that something is not only interesting but also promotes thought, analysis, and deeper understanding. Related alternatives include "mentally stimulating" and "thought-provoking". While adaptable, it is best reserved for situations where genuine cognitive stimulation is involved to avoid sounding pretentious. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian commonly employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectually stimulating

A more direct synonym, closely mirroring the original phrase.

intellectually stimulating

A more emphatic synonym for intellectually engaging.

mentally stimulating

Emphasizes the activation of mental processes and cognitive functions.

stimulating one's intellect

Rephrases the concept as an action, focusing on the impact on the intellect.

thought-provoking

Highlights the capacity to incite contemplation and deeper thinking.

cognitively stimulating

Focuses on the enhancement of cognitive abilities through engagement.

intellectually challenging

Implies that the subject pushes one to think harder and overcome mental obstacles.

mentally captivating

Focuses on the ability to hold one's attention and interest on a mental level.

academically enriching

Suggests an enhancement of one's knowledge and understanding, often in a scholastic setting.

invigorating the mind

Suggests a revitalizing effect on one's mental capacity and awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "intellectually engaging" in a sentence?

You can use "intellectually engaging" to describe something that stimulates thought and curiosity. For instance, "The debate was "intellectually engaging", prompting a thoughtful exchange of ideas."

What are some alternatives to "intellectually engaging"?

Alternatives include "mentally stimulating", "thought-provoking", or "cognitively stimulating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "intellectually engaging" or "intellectually stimulated"?

"Intellectually engaging" describes something that causes intellectual engagement, while "intellectually stimulated" describes a state of being. Use "intellectually engaging" to describe the source of the stimulation and "intellectually stimulated" to describe the effect on a person.

What does it mean for an activity to be "intellectually engaging"?

For an activity to be "intellectually engaging" means it actively involves and stimulates one's thought processes, encouraging deeper understanding and critical thinking. It's not just interesting, but also challenges and expands your intellect.