as in colloquial
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing
poems written in a natural, unliterary voice
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Recent Examples of unliterary
The bond between Alice and the spiky, decidedly unliterary Felix might flummox.
—
New York Times, 1 Sep. 2021
Both were born as writers in public libraries—hyper-bright American Jewish urban boys from unliterary backgrounds, encountering the classics on their own, without too much pre-sorting, responding with delight, imitation, amusement, and familiarity.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2021
New York Times, 1 Sep. 2021
Both were born as writers in public libraries—hyper-bright American Jewish urban boys from unliterary backgrounds, encountering the classics on their own, without too much pre-sorting, responding with delight, imitation, amusement, and familiarity.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unliterary
Adjective
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Proposition 12 is the colloquial term for the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative.—
Alan Wooten,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2025
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The strawberry moon is the colloquial name for June's full moon, a term originating from Native American tribes who marked the time when wild strawberries reached peak ripeness.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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The undeniable stars are the curvaceous treehouses inspired by the endangered pangolins—the unusual, organic shape sets it apart from the typical tropical villa vernacular.—
Kissa Castaneda,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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That style of neighborhood development — gradually over time, rather than building to completion all at once — also happens to be the secret to creating places with a visually appealing vernacular character, Romem said.—
Marina Bolotnikova,
Vox,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Within the outcome document, the drafters champion several strategies to expand domestic tax bases, such as integrating the informal sector into the formal economy and identifying undeclared income and wealth.—
Nana Ama Sarfo,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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Whether for a casual outing, an afternoon of shopping, or even an informal dinner, this combination has the power to transform a simple look into a fashion statement.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unliterary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unliterary. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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