as in ignorance
the state of being unaware or uninformed
the utter cluelessness of the parents astounded the police who raided the underage drinking party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cluelessness
This fantasy chat plays out in all its white cluelessness as the sitcom rewinds and repeats on mute.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
But shyness and cluelessness kept me from making my rendezvous with the guy that was to aid in that connection.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
Neeson also uses his size and his vigilante-movie reputation to incredible effect, adapting more of a bull-in-a-china-shop energy than Leslie Nielsen’s previous cluelessness.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
With the exception of Howle’s fictional Thomas, the Brits, based on real-life figures, are represented here with an assortment of pomp, cluelessness, arrogance and cruelty, all of it smartly played and never cartoonish.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
In satirizing some women’s impressions of their male partners’ cluelessness as a high-stakes matter, SNL subtly commented on these fraught domestic dynamics.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
LeBlanc made Joey Tribbiani unforgettable — combining goofy charm, endless antics and a lovable cluelessness that kept fans laughing for 10 seasons.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
But shyness and cluelessness kept me from making my rendezvous with the guy that was to aid in that connection.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
Neeson also uses his size and his vigilante-movie reputation to incredible effect, adapting more of a bull-in-a-china-shop energy than Leslie Nielsen’s previous cluelessness.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
With the exception of Howle’s fictional Thomas, the Brits, based on real-life figures, are represented here with an assortment of pomp, cluelessness, arrogance and cruelty, all of it smartly played and never cartoonish.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
In satirizing some women’s impressions of their male partners’ cluelessness as a high-stakes matter, SNL subtly commented on these fraught domestic dynamics.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
LeBlanc made Joey Tribbiani unforgettable — combining goofy charm, endless antics and a lovable cluelessness that kept fans laughing for 10 seasons.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cluelessness
ignorance
Noun
-
Disagreeing with presidential actions is one thing, but opining on the psychology behind his decisions shows ignorance.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Many fear losing their jobs, sometimes through ignorance rather than data.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cluelessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cluelessness. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
