as in ignorance
the state of being unlearned
far too many children are doomed to a lifetime of illiteracy in that country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 illiteracy
At the heart of these matters is an overwhelming degree of financial illiteracy.
—
David Kudla, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
There is a romance of illiteracy here, as if poetry should be looked at instead of thoughtfully read.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025
One act of economic illiteracy would therefore sabotage both Medicaid and Medicare simultaneously.
—Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
At the same time, the illiteracy crisis is about more than curriculum.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiteracy
David Kudla, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
There is a romance of illiteracy here, as if poetry should be looked at instead of thoughtfully read.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025
One act of economic illiteracy would therefore sabotage both Medicaid and Medicare simultaneously.
—Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
At the same time, the illiteracy crisis is about more than curriculum.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illiteracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiteracy
ignorance
Noun
-
Those who get their disinformation from Fox, One America News Network and Newsmax will remain clueless and continue to suffer the consequences of their ignorance.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
-
As Zora, Johansson is at least high-energy, yet her spirited line deliveries don’t make up for her character’s almost distressing ignorance of the dangers around her.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illiteracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiteracy. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share