as in ignorant
lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books
an organization helping nonliterate adults improve their reading skills
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 nonliterate
Such a practice would have been especially useful in nonliterate societies where knowledge was transmitted orally.
—
Amanda Fortini, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2020
Amanda Fortini, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonliterate
ignorant
Adjective
-
But there are also Black folks who are ignorant of this.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The pilot has moments both sweet and funny, and sets up the possibility of romance amongst the characters, as well as further high jinks from a rotating cast of license seekers and citizens ignorant of the requirements for a Real ID.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonliterate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonliterate. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share