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
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 illiteracy
What does McMahon see as the root causes of such illiteracy?
—
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Stubborn circumstances Chronically absent students are at higher risk of illiteracy and eventually dropping out.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
His administration was also very successful in that under his term consumer prices only rose at just .4%, the nation’s wealth increased by 17.5%, the national debt was cut in half, unemployment stood at 3.6% and illiteracy fell by almost 50%.
—Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024
Trafficking can impoverish the families of its victims, compounding illiteracy and poor health and nutrition and perpetuating poverty across generations.
—Jamille Bigio, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2021
See all Example Sentences for illiteracy 
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Stubborn circumstances Chronically absent students are at higher risk of illiteracy and eventually dropping out.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
His administration was also very successful in that under his term consumer prices only rose at just .4%, the nation’s wealth increased by 17.5%, the national debt was cut in half, unemployment stood at 3.6% and illiteracy fell by almost 50%.
—Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024
Trafficking can impoverish the families of its victims, compounding illiteracy and poor health and nutrition and perpetuating poverty across generations.
—Jamille Bigio, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2021
See all Example Sentences for illiteracy
Thesaurus Entries Near illiteracy
Cite this Entry
“Illiteracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illiteracy. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share