1
as in unfamiliarity
the state of being unaware or uninformed
ignorance of the law is no excuse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illiteracy
the state of being unlearned
with such vast sums spent on education, the level of ignorance among graduating seniors is a national disgrace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ignorance
So please excuse my ignorance and stupidity here, but.
—
Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2025
In warmly welcoming closed, illiberal regimes into the open, liberal global order, Washington and its allies were not demonstrating an ignorance of history.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
In short, nothing about these statements suggests ignorance or incompetence; indeed, to assume so would also be to assume ignorance or incompetence from DHS's legal counsel, who repeatedly failed to prevent these statements from being made in DHS's official communications to the public.
—New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
The struggles against inhuman prejudice, against squalor, ignorance, and disease, have always owed a great deal to the determination and tenacity of women.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ignorance
Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2025
In warmly welcoming closed, illiberal regimes into the open, liberal global order, Washington and its allies were not demonstrating an ignorance of history.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
In short, nothing about these statements suggests ignorance or incompetence; indeed, to assume so would also be to assume ignorance or incompetence from DHS's legal counsel, who repeatedly failed to prevent these statements from being made in DHS's official communications to the public.
—New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
The struggles against inhuman prejudice, against squalor, ignorance, and disease, have always owed a great deal to the determination and tenacity of women.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ignorance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignorance
Noun
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Asked about Zhang at a regular briefing of reporters in Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson cited unfamiliarity with the matter.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
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But there’s also a bit of unfamiliarity, as Peterson said he’s never dealt with cramping that has lingered this long before.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The correlation between illiteracy and incarceration has been known for a long time.—
David Owen,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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Hirsch believes that the consequences of illiteracy are also reflected within the prison system.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In contrast to the George Floyd civil lawsuit against Minneapolis – a federal case that would have been decided by a jury – everything in a tort lawsuit against the federal government, from guilt or innocence to the amount of a potential reward, would be decided by a federal judge.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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But Bob maintained his innocence.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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My love of the theater and my love of the people who dedicate their life to creativity and the kind of highs and lows of that life, and the silliness and stupidity of that life, and the moments of elegiac grace.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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History suggests that the proficient cruelty of such regimes is unable to compensate for the stupidity and incompetence of their cadres.—
Elizabeth Tsurkov,
The Atlantic,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This inclination toward solitude appears to stem from underestimating others’ willingness to engage and unawareness of how much of a lift a mere social exchange can provide.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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At the same time, Weinberger added, the greatest treatment obstacle is patients not taking their medications — sometimes due to anosognosia, the unawareness of being ill, which affects 50% to 98% of people with schizophrenia.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Compare that to punk rock, which used dumbness as a tactic.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Neeson also uses his size and his vigilante-movie reputation to incredible effect, adapting more of a bull-in-a-china-shop energy than Leslie Nielsen’s previous cluelessness.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
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With the exception of Howle’s fictional Thomas, the Brits, based on real-life figures, are represented here with an assortment of pomp, cluelessness, arrogance and cruelty, all of it smartly played and never cartoonish.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Navarro devoted a chapter to the seductive foolishness of protectionist trade policies.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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The captain of the boat Zoë and Sarah came on watches them from afar, shaking his head at English foolishness.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ignorance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignorance. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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