pseudo-intellectualism 

A person who fakes an intellectual capacity they do not have in order to appear more appealing to others. Normally has the opposite effect. The cousin of the Pseudo-snob

Pseudo-intellectualism is the reason Idiots are running the country.

pseudo-intellectualism by docsriver September 10, 2014

pseudo-intellectualism 

The practice of using sophisticated terms and/or concepts incorrectly or without thorough understanding of their intricate nuances and thus resulting in a flawed body of knowledge (i.e. erroneous beliefs). Typically people who partake in pseudo-intellectualism do so with authority and conviction as a result of some effort to understand the concepts and/or terms but lack the mental capacity to synthesize true knowledge from their efforts and thus typically do not know they are intellectually mistaken.

Yeah, that dude Phillip and I got into a political discussion and he started talking about how Sanders wants to subsidize everything and how Trump economic policies will increase the value of the dollar. He clearly doesn't even know what the word "subsidize" means, that there is a fine example of some pseudo-intellectualism.

pseudo-intellectualism by zerO_One March 22, 2017

pseudo-intellectuals 

Pseudo-intellectuals are people of average intelligence who are enchanted with highly intellectual topics and discussions such as philosophy, socioeconomics, destiny of humanity, etc.

Unlike a genuine academic, a pseudo-intellectual’s main reason for being interested in these topics is because it makes him feel intellectually superior to his peers. He usually despises main stream culture, accuses those who disagree with him as being ignorant, and when his ideas are challenged, he often retaliates with “That’s a straw man argument!”

Pseudo-intellectuals can often be found in political discussion boards on the internet, patronizing boutique shops, participating in various Anti-something rallies, sitting on a park’s bench during a weekend afternoon and playing a guitar, or spending eight consecutive years in college trying to earn a B.A degree in political science or philosophy.

Jim: Who is that asshole that sits in the back of the class in American History and pisses off the professor all the time?

Amy: Oh, that’s Mark. He’s one of those pseudo-intellectuals.

pseudo-intellectuals by Edgardo February 5, 2007

pseudo-intellectuals 

Someone who uses flashy words and quotes from intellectuals to make them sound a bit more clever than they really are because they don't have original thoughts for themselves.

Also see: pretentious

That bloke thinks he's a nihilith - yet he doesn't know anything.

pseudo-intellectuals by Kelly Osbourne's Gimp April 25, 2005

pseudo-intellectuals 

1. Non-intellectuals who can at least keep up the appearance for fifteen minutes.
2. Cop-out postmodernists.
3. Critics.

...After fifteen minutes over coffee discussing the qualities of Emerson's work as being original, he screamed in desperation: "There is nothing left to be original about! There is nothing original left! I see no value in anything because everything has already been thought!" He then made an effort to point out the flaws in a friend's poem and how she could improve it with synonyms and left in silence.

pseudo-intellectuals by heroin hiroshima May 1, 2005

psuedo-intellectuals 

People whom beleive they are extremely intelligent and desire everyone to know it. In actuallity they are generally ignorant and close minded.

Those psuedo-intellectuals have some terrible definitions for slang terms on urbandictionary.com.

The way that art major was carrying on about how I didn't know that peice was post impressionist, you would think they were a psuedo-intellectual.

psuedo-intellectuals by DJ December 24, 2003

psuedo-intellectuals 

Ignorant bastards. Individuals who are gifted with a large vocabulary and quick wit, and use it to other's expenses. Often very sarcastic, and thrive on making fun of those they view as different or slow-witted. Also incredibly critical and judgemental, these individuals believe everything that is not them is stupid and moronical. Anything deemed as immature or stupid is subject to their quick, aggressive tongue.

I really hate these people, they are so close minded and immature. Its like a five year old girl putting on make up.

Evanston Township Highschool, Evanston, IL. A place full of psuedo-intellectuals. (My school)

psuedo-intellectuals by moss|punk December 9, 2008