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Are you someone who likes to think on your feet? If so, you've got something in common with the followers of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. Not only a thinker and teacher, Aristotle was also a walker, and his students were required to walk along beside him as he lectured while pacing to and fro. Thus it was that the Greek word peripatētikos (from peripatein, meaning "to walk up and down") came to be associated with Aristotle and his followers. By the way, the covered walk in the Lyceum where Aristotle taught was known as the "peripatos" (which can either refer to the act of walking or a place for walking).
Synonyms
Examples of peripatetic in a Sentence
Rhonda Reinhart, Country Living, 8 Sep. 2023
Besides, those other companies don’t have Prigozhin, a peripatetic hustler whose connections opened avenues few could access, the researcher said.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023
Munch refused to stay put; his constant motion can bring to mind that of the great peripatetic postwar German artist Sigmar Polke.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 27 July 2023
In his peripatetic career, the 59-year-old Robbins has been on every end of these kind of creative discussions, working as an actor, writer, director, producer, digital entrepreneur and now, studio chief.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 26 July 2023
His peripatetic research career took him to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for several years and then to multiple German universities.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 9 June 2023
While some writers might weave the sense of nomadic displacement and peripatetic exploration into their narrative as a revelation or cause for humor, von Bremzen treats it as a matter of course.
—Kara Baskin, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2023
The legs make sense: Mr. Walton was one of the NBA’s famously walking wounded during a storied, peripatetic career.
—John Anderson, WSJ, 1 June 2023
After a 10-year playing career with four teams in three countries, Hudson embarked on an even more peripatetic coaching career, working in Wales, Bahrain, New Zealand and MLS before joining U.S. Soccer in Chicago three years ago.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2023
New York Times, 11 Dec. 2021
The peripatetic pinniped inspired two children’s books, including one with photos by Pulitzer Prize winner Stanley Forman.
—Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peripatetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Adjective
Middle French & Latin; Middle French peripatetique, from Latin peripateticus, from Greek peripatētikos, from peripatein to walk up and down, discourse while pacing (as did Aristotle), from peri- + patein to tread; akin to Sanskrit patha path — more at find
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
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Cite this Entry
“Peripatetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peripatetic. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
peripatetic
adjective
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