unlearned 1 of 2

unlearned

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verb

past tense of unlearn

Synonym Chooser

How is the word unlearned distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of unlearned are ignorant, illiterate, unlettered, and untutored. While all these words mean "not having knowledge," unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects.

poetry not for academics but for the unlearned masses

When is it sensible to use ignorant instead of unlearned?

The synonyms ignorant and unlearned are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would illiterate be a good substitute for unlearned?

Although the words illiterate and unlearned have much in common, illiterate applies to either an absolute or a relative inability to read and write.

much of the population is still illiterate

When could unlettered be used to replace unlearned?

While the synonyms unlettered and unlearned are close in meaning, unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained by reading.

an allusion meaningless to the unlettered

When can untutored be used instead of unlearned?

The words untutored and unlearned can be used in similar contexts, but untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and ways of civilization.

strange monuments built by an untutored people

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 unlearned
Adjective
Those afflicted with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often behave in a manner which the unlearned (or uncaring) will immediately label as criminal. Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 6 Sep. 2024 Although the 1973 commission’s report ran to 2,200 pages, some big lessons from 1973 may have gone unlearned—lessons that Israel needed to understand then and still does now. Uri Kaufman, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2023 Although the 1973 commission’s report ran to 2,200 pages, some big lessons from 1973 may have gone unlearned—lessons that Israel needed to understand then and still do now. Uri Kaufman, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2023 Observers are left similarly unlearned about how the case might be decided. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 23 Mar. 2023 Still, there are lessons that remain unlearned. W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 24 Feb. 2022 The racial disparities have left public health experts and activists frustrated that lessons from the Covid-19 response remain unlearned. Liam Stack, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of Cannes, Loznitsa explained why the unlearned lessons of the past always come back to haunt us. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2022 And, today, the Biden Administration is learning that lessons from the 2014 Red Hill fuel leak went unlearned. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlearned
Adjective
  • But Slingshot’s breach of contract suit alleges that Angel continually broke provisions of their agreement, and sometimes seemed entirely ignorant of them.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Naturally, this poor woman is ignorant of her friend Susan’s role in her granddaughter’s disappearance.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Then, someone forgot the rings.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Instead, the stage is dominated by columns with a terra cotta effect, but little else; the world Othello and Iago inhabits seems less drained of color than awaiting it, as if Leon forgot to put it there in the first place.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Huskies also lost a trio of transfers after 2021-22 — Piath Gabriel (UMass), Mir McLean (Virginia, Maryland) and Saylor Poffenbarger (Arkansas, Maryland) — who all averaged less than five minutes of playing time in their UConn careers.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Atlanta lost Charlie Morton and Max Fried in the offseason before losing Reynaldo López to a shoulder injury this year.
    Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unlearned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlearned. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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