as in ignorance
the state of being unlearned
far too many children are doomed to a lifetime of illiteracy in that country
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Recent Examples of illiteracy
To make matters worse, the IRS Taxpayer Advocate called tax illiteracy the most serious issue facing taxpayers in 2024.
—
Zoe Callaway, Oc Register, 31 July 2025
From 1870 to 1900, the illiteracy rate fell by 47 percent.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
The most disadvantaged castes today have higher rates of illiteracy and malnutrition, and receive fewer social services such as maternal care and reproductive health, Muttreja added.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
In a part of the world where illiteracy runs rampant, he was convinced that writers aren’t entertainers but spokespersons of the silent majority.
—Ilan Stavans, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiteracy
Zoe Callaway, Oc Register, 31 July 2025
From 1870 to 1900, the illiteracy rate fell by 47 percent.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
The most disadvantaged castes today have higher rates of illiteracy and malnutrition, and receive fewer social services such as maternal care and reproductive health, Muttreja added.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
In a part of the world where illiteracy runs rampant, he was convinced that writers aren’t entertainers but spokespersons of the silent majority.
—Ilan Stavans, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiteracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiteracy
ignorance
Noun
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Like in One Battle After Another, DiCaprio played buffoonish and vaguely incompetent, but Scorsese doesn’t weaponize his ignorance for laughs.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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Also, don’t mistake your own ignorance & apathy as universal or admirable.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illiteracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiteracy. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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