ILLITERATE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'illiterate' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of illiterate are ignorant , unlearned , unlettered , and untutored . While all these words mean "not having knowledge," illiterate applies to either an absolute or a relative inability to read and write. // much of the population is still illiterate

Q: Where would 'ignorant' be a reasonable alternative to 'illiterate'?

While the synonyms ignorant and illiterate are close in meaning, ignorant may imply a general condition or it may apply to lack of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing. // an ignorant fool // ignorant of nuclear physics

Q: When is 'unlearned' a more appropriate choice than 'illiterate'?

The synonyms unlearned and illiterate are sometimes interchangeable, but unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects. // poetry not for academics but for the unlearned masses

Q: When can 'unlettered' be used instead of 'illiterate'?

The meanings of unlettered and illiterate largely overlap; however, unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained by reading. // an allusion meaningless to the unlettered

Q: When might 'untutored' be a better fit than 'illiterate'?

In some situations, the words untutored and illiterate are roughly equivalent. However, untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and ways of civilization. // strange monuments built by an untutored people

illiterate 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-t(ə-)rət

Definition of illiterate next

as in ungrammatical

violating approved patterns of speaking and writing most of the messages left on the Web site's bulletin board are illiterate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ignorant

lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books offered menus with pictures, presumably for the many illiterate people who must eat there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

illiterate

2 of 2

noun

as in ignoramus

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word illiterate distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of illiterate are ignorant, unlearned, unlettered, and untutored. While all these words mean "not having knowledge," illiterate applies to either an absolute or a relative inability to read and write.

much of the population is still illiterate

Where would ignorant be a reasonable alternative to illiterate?

While the synonyms ignorant and illiterate are close in meaning, ignorant may imply a general condition or it may apply to lack of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing.

an ignorant fool

ignorant of nuclear physics

When is unlearned a more appropriate choice than illiterate?

The synonyms unlearned and illiterate are sometimes interchangeable, but unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects.

poetry not for academics but for the unlearned masses

When can unlettered be used instead of illiterate?

The meanings of unlettered and illiterate largely overlap; however, unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained by reading.

an allusion meaningless to the unlettered

When might untutored be a better fit than illiterate?

In some situations, the words untutored and illiterate are roughly equivalent. However, untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and ways of civilization.

strange monuments built by an untutored people

Examples 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 illiterate

Adjective

In other words, nearly all of Singapore’s secondary school students have sufficient skills for the world of work, while almost three-quarters of South Africa’s youth are functionally illiterate. —

Jim Yong Kim, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2018 Hesiod, formerly an illiterate shepherd, claimed that he was inspired to write the poem when a beautiful goddess whispered the story in his ear. —

Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024 Back in the United States, President Joe Biden proposed a national rent control, an idea that’s economically illiterate and probably unconstitutional. —

Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024 Some were lawyers or doctors in their native country, while others are illiterate and some can't speak English, workforce & artisan program coordinator Jessica Rayburn tells Axios. Find volunteer opportunities with RSS here. —

Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for illiterate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illiterate

Adjective

And in general, the A.I. bots were useful for sharpening prose and cleaning up clunky, ungrammatical sentences.

Brian X. Chen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2023
That could be useful for conversations where telegraphic, ungrammatical messages would come off as impolite.

Tom Simonite, Wired, 18 Oct. 2020