as in ignorance
the state of being unaware or uninformed
some intense studying rapidly remedied my unfamiliarity with the subject in time for the exam
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Recent Examples of unfamiliarity
The unfamiliarity with the play makes it that much harder to execute.
—
Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The inexperience and unfamiliarity of playing with one another started to become less of an issue.
—Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
Sprint speed ranked in the 95th percentile of MLB players helped Smith mitigate early unfamiliarity with reads and reactions off the bat in right field.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 24 Feb. 2026
However, some dogs avoid pills or spit them out due to smell, look or general unfamiliarity.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Asked about Zhang at a regular briefing of reporters in Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson cited unfamiliarity with the matter.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
But there’s also a bit of unfamiliarity, as Peterson said he’s never dealt with cramping that has lingered this long before.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2026
The challenge is not only unfamiliarity.
—Kristin Olson, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, public acceptance remains limited, held back by unfamiliarity and lingering safety concerns.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The inexperience and unfamiliarity of playing with one another started to become less of an issue.
—Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
Sprint speed ranked in the 95th percentile of MLB players helped Smith mitigate early unfamiliarity with reads and reactions off the bat in right field.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 24 Feb. 2026
However, some dogs avoid pills or spit them out due to smell, look or general unfamiliarity.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Asked about Zhang at a regular briefing of reporters in Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson cited unfamiliarity with the matter.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
But there’s also a bit of unfamiliarity, as Peterson said he’s never dealt with cramping that has lingered this long before.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2026
The challenge is not only unfamiliarity.
—Kristin Olson, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, public acceptance remains limited, held back by unfamiliarity and lingering safety concerns.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfamiliarity
ignorance
Noun
-
Don’t let the fact that Italy’s unexpected heroics allowed Team USA to back into a quarterfinal spot erase the embarrassment of an all-too-telling admission of ignorance by DeRosa.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Austen’s ideal romantic relationships are never founded on ignorance or lies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfamiliarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfamiliarity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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