as in unreadable
incapable of being read or deciphered illegible signatures on the petition will be disregarded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illegible The letter featured a number of typos, and the Federal Reserve’s seal was illegible and appeared to be generated by artificial intelligence. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 22 July 2025 His striking work, Protest, depicts the bloodshed of Sri Lanka’s long civil war, using books that are charred or rendered illegible, often decorated with symbolic or figurative objects, like toy-soldier figurines marching across a soiled page. Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025 When the works’ motors are switched on, the sculptures spin rapidly and the texts dissolve in a whirl of motion, becoming nearly or entirely illegible. Marina Isgro, Artforum, 1 June 2025 When the world becomes illegible, the present becomes illegible. Sean Illing, Vox, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illegible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegible
Adjective
  • This ensures data confidentiality both in transit and at rest by utilizing cryptographic algorithms to convert data into unreadable formats.
    Jason Phillips, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The serial number on the rifle was obliterated and unreadable.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Add to that list Inhotim, a sprawling and relatively obscure contemporary art collection in the jungle of the state of Minas Gerais that surpasses any notion of what a museum can be.
    William O'Connor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Mamdani began his campaign as a relatively obscure state lawmaker, little known even within New York City.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Much of what Hassona says is indecipherable.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Many listeners felt the quality of Lennon’s home recordings left the singer muddy and indecipherable in the mix.
    Dave Paulson, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The program’s pulse felt faint, its identity slipping further with each loss.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The short uses stylized 3D and deadpan timing to explore routine, irritation and faint absurdity.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Several creators who previously worked day jobs tell Rolling Stone that there’s an ongoing stigma surrounding the idea of leaving a steady day job — a stigma that’s decided less by rules and more by undecipherable vibes.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025
  • Claims complexity: The billing process between hospitals and insurers is opaque to patients, who often receive surprising and undecipherable bills months after receiving care.
    Dan Gingiss, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • How travel insurance policies will be impacted by the shutdown is unclear.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The origin of the videos are unclear.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illegible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegible. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on illegible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!