Synonyms of ignorance

ignorance

noun

ˈig-n(ə-)rən(t)s 

1

as in unfamiliarity

the state of being unaware or uninformed

ignorance of the law is no excuse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unfamiliarity
• innocence
• unawareness
• cluelessness
• nescience
• obliviousness
• benightedness
• naïveté
• inexperience
• incognizance
• callowness
• greenness
• unsophistication
• rawness
• simpleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• awareness
• acquaintance
• familiarity
• experience
• cognizance
• sophistication
• know-how

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

• illiteracy
• stupidity
• dumbness
• foolishness
• idiocy
• imbecility
• functional illiteracy
• philistinism
• innumeracy
• mindlessness
• brainlessness
• senselessness
• witlessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• learning
• education
• literacy
• knowledge
• training
• instruction
• enlightenment
• scholarship
• erudition

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ignorance

The answer is Asia—if both sides can overcome their mutual ignorance. — Barrett Bingley, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026

Ascherson chose a life, with its focus on seeing as much of the world as possible, that functioned as a reproach to that kind of ignorance. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026

The matter was internally chalked up to ignorance about the rules and the story quickly faded. — Dan Woike, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Despite the structure of bets and trades, the point of the idea-futures business is to gamble on insight rather than ignorance. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026