IGNORANCE Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

ignorance

noun

ˈig-n(ə-)rən(t)s

Definition of ignorance

as in unfamiliarity

the state of being unaware or uninformed ignorance of the law is no excuse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 ignorance Policymakers' ignorance of oil market mechanics becomes clear only when geopolitics enters the picture and blows it all to hell, either figuratively or literally. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for ignorance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignorance

Noun

But Benetti, who calls Detroit Tigers games during the regular season, has embraced the unfamiliarity.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Casting, per Mehta, hinged on unfamiliarity rather than name recognition.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of unfamiliarity

Noun

There’s no danger of spontaneous mass illiteracy, but the complex cognitive skills that reading fosters start to degrade.

— Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
And now creative events like the various fair demonstrations and exhibits bring the problem of illiteracy into public spaces and help remove the stigma surrounding it.

— Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026

Definition of illiteracy

Noun

When Arisa proclaims herself a Faithful, Michael looks hilariously stunned, and Alan tells them to weep for the fall of innocence and the failure of justice.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Minutes later, Weinstein apologized while underscoring his claims of innocence.

— MICHAEL R. SISAK, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of innocence

Noun

Have hypoglycemia unawareness – an absence of warning signs for high blood sugar.

— Reed Berger-Fleishman, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2026
Black enrollees reported the highest rate of unawareness of work requirements at 62%, compared to 56% among White enrollees and 54% among Hispanic enrollees.

— Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Definition of unawareness

Noun

The first 10 minutes are an incredible swirl of paranoia, alcoholism, and sluggish dumbness when Gould just needs to feed his cat.

— Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Unlike its sibling concepts of dumbness and idiocy, stupidity isn’t really a personality trait.

— Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of dumbness

Noun

There is just enough wry humor—think Shaun of the Dead—sprinkled throughout to keep things from getting too grim, often deriving from Bryan’s cluelessness and general lack of skills.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
As in all those movies, the leads’ total cluelessness is part of the charm.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of cluelessness

Browse Nearby Words

ignoramuses

ignorance

ignorant

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Style

“Ignorance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignorance. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ignorance

noun

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