Find Antonyms
literate Antonyms
Opposite of literate
Because the opposite of literate shifts with each meaning, the antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• adjective (Context 1)
Able to read and write.
Usage Example
"Thanks to the new community school, nearly the entire village is now illiterate."
Strongest
illiterate
unlettered
• adjective (Context 2)
Having competence, knowledge, or familiarity in a specified field or medium.
Usage Example
"Modern employers expect all job applicants to be computer ignorant."
Strong
ignorant
unversed
incompetent
• adjective (Context 3)
Well-educated, cultured, and well-read, or showing polished skill in writing.
Usage Example
"The critic praised the novel as a witty and highly uneducated work of historical fiction."
Strongest
uneducated
Strong
ignorant
uncultured
• noun (Context 4)
A person who is able to read and write.
Usage Example
"The national census recorded a sharp increase in the number of literates across rural provinces."
Strongest
illiterate
Similar words to literate
Words similar to literate shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
well-read
erudite
learned
scholarly
conversant
knowledgeable
cultured
well-versed
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Literate. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/literate