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Definitions

illiteracy

[ih-lit-er-uh-see] / ɪˈlɪt ər ə si /
NOUN
inability to read or write
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONGEST
STRONG


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He referred to a 10-point plan that Caribbean nations have put to European nations, including international debt cancellation, as well as support for healthcare and illiteracy eradication.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

Walsh treats well-documented, widely accessible historical facts as if they were buried state secrets, weaponizing the baseline historical illiteracy of his audience to construct a narrative of deception.

From Salon • May 20, 2026

After confessing his illiteracy on TikTok, a fitness influencer discovered that his online audience was ready to help him learn to read.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

She fears that the absence of this support, due to fear and lack of funds, could increase rates of illiteracy.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025

But what she wanted to do, in essence, was create a learning epidemic to counter the prevailing epidemics of poverty and illiteracy.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell




Vocabulary lists containing illiteracy


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