IGNORANT Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ignorant' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of ignorant are illiterate , unlearned , unlettered , and untutored . While all these words mean "not having knowledge," ignorant may imply a general condition or it may apply to lack of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing. // an ignorant fool // ignorant of nuclear physics

Q: When could 'illiterate' be used to replace 'ignorant'?

Although the words illiterate and ignorant have much in common, illiterate applies to either an absolute or a relative inability to read and write. // much of the population is still illiterate

Q: When can 'unlearned' be used instead of 'ignorant'?

While the synonyms unlearned and ignorant are close in meaning, unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects. // poetry not for academics but for the unlearned masses

Q: In what contexts can 'unlettered' take the place of 'ignorant'?

The meanings of unlettered and ignorant largely overlap; however, unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained by reading. // an allusion meaningless to the unlettered

Q: Where would 'untutored' be a reasonable alternative to 'ignorant'?

The words untutored and ignorant can be used in similar contexts, but untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and ways of civilization. // strange monuments built by an untutored people

ignorant

adjective

ˈig-n(ə-)rənt

Definition of ignorant

as in uneducated

lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books they may be poor, ignorant farmers, but they are not stupid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unaware

not informed about or aware of something he was ignorant of their wedding plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ignorant distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of ignorant are illiterate, unlearned, unlettered, and untutored. While all these words mean "not having knowledge," ignorant may imply a general condition or it may apply to lack of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing.

an ignorant fool

ignorant of nuclear physics

When could illiterate be used to replace ignorant?

Although the words illiterate and ignorant have much in common, illiterate applies to either an absolute or a relative inability to read and write.

much of the population is still illiterate

When can unlearned be used instead of ignorant?

While the synonyms unlearned and ignorant are close in meaning, unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects.

poetry not for academics but for the unlearned masses

In what contexts can unlettered take the place of ignorant?

The meanings of unlettered and ignorant largely overlap; however, unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained by reading.

an allusion meaningless to the unlettered

Where would untutored be a reasonable alternative to ignorant?

The words untutored and ignorant can be used in similar contexts, but untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and ways of civilization.

strange monuments built by an untutored people

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 ignorant Also, the incorrect assumption among those who either are ignorant of the real economic realities or just don’t care and just want to pander to their own districts. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 Mamdani’s ignorant opinion illustrates Kissinger’s concern, relying on emotional display rather than the facts. — Daniel Kolkey, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026 Howard Bryant's comparison this week between Cunningham's comments and Colin Kaepernick's protests was both ignorant and desperate. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Only those stubbornly ignorant to the human cost of actual combat would be psyched to bring on more of it. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignorant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignorant

Adjective

Ira, in my very uneducated opinion, there are eight teams in the East that could finish first, and any of those eight could be eighth.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
As a peripheral community grows around them, this lawless terrain is suddenly subject to boundaries and contracts and taxes; both uneducated and illiterate, Isak and Inger are ill prepared for such societal evolution.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of uneducated

Adjective

The famed downtown venue is once again operating Thursdays to Sunday, but many have been unaware.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Just a few weeks ago, a survey from UK arbitration service Acas found that two-fifths of employers across all industries were unaware of these changes in law.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of unaware

Adjective

The refreshing under-eye treatments are formulated to smooth, firm, and brighten crow’s feet and dark circles.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
The helmet uses a carbon-fiber shell to help control weight and comes supplied with clear and dark visors, as well as a Pinlock anti-fog insert.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of dark

Adjective

Here’s the feckless poor, here’s the striving poor, here’s the oblivious cheerful poor, here’s the drug addict, here’s the drunk.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
Confident in the safety of their compound, Andrew and the soldiers were oblivious to the boy’s bad intentions.

— Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of oblivious

Adjective

An on-site doctor’s office draws Fatimah (Noha Foad), an undocumented, illiterate Muslim woman suffering from seizures.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
In that moment, walking through room after room of marble and silk and silver, all of it extracted from illiterate workers in the fields and fishing boats on the horizon, the reasons for the Protestant Reformation became fully clear to me.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of illiterate

Adjective

Despite the claims of any number of charlatans who prey on the American brand of cuddly benighted ignorance, the universe will not manifest an alternate reality for anyone who simply wishes for it with sufficient longing.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Could Kleist’s conjecture provide a key to their seeming vacancy, their resignation, their helplessness, suggesting that in their benighted condition lies spiritual perfection?

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of benighted

Browse Nearby Words

ignorance

ignorant

ignore

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ignorant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignorant. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ignorant

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cockamamie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes