1
as in illusion
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
the arctic circle is a nonentity—you won't see it on the way to the north pole
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nobody
a person of no importance or influence
was so quiet he was almost a nonentity at the meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 nonentity
The central father-son dynamic feels forced rather than rooted in history, and Freddy is a nonentity, undefined as a character except in relation to his meddling dad.
—
James Poniewozik, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2023
And Putin, shockingly, after years and years of indefatigably suppressing alternatives, of promoting nonentities to his inner circle to ensure no one could threaten him, has allowed one to take shape.
—Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2023
The mocha frappe had a stinging, strong syrup flavor; the caramel tasted like almost nothing; the chicory was somehow even more of a nonentity.
—Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
The mocha frappe had a stinging, strong syrup flavor; the caramel tasted like almost nothing; the chicory was somehow even more of a nonentity.
—Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for nonentity
James Poniewozik, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2023
And Putin, shockingly, after years and years of indefatigably suppressing alternatives, of promoting nonentities to his inner circle to ensure no one could threaten him, has allowed one to take shape.
—Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2023
The mocha frappe had a stinging, strong syrup flavor; the caramel tasted like almost nothing; the chicory was somehow even more of a nonentity.
—Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
The mocha frappe had a stinging, strong syrup flavor; the caramel tasted like almost nothing; the chicory was somehow even more of a nonentity.
—Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for nonentity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonentity
Noun
-
High ceilings, tall doors, oversized windows, and a herringbone parquet floor with oversized proportions were also key to creating the illusion of extra space.—
Mailin Sophie Zieser,
Architectural Digest,
7 June 2025
-
While there is a warming and cooling sensation associated with these products, the ingredients act on nerve endings to create an illusion of hot and cold.—
Novant Health,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
None of these nobodies is performing like Grimes just yet, and until someone does Grier better get active trying to find a handful of veteran cornerbacks whom this team can call on, and sign to patch up the weakest unit on the team.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
-
And maybe that’s a metaphor for the way a lot of middle-class nobodies feel.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
The parade will emphasize the power and magic of dreams.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
13 June 2025
-
This time, voters have rejected the progressive fever dream at the ballot box.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Elsewhere, Jonathan and Ana made a smart strategic decision after figuring out how to use a cipher to decode a message into English.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
23 Apr. 2025
-
In the hands of a lesser actor and director, Laura might have been a frustrating cipher.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Set to John Kander and Fred Ebb's award-winning score, the trailer offers a glimpse at the film’s blend of gritty realism and old-Hollywood fantasy.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
5 June 2025
-
Her big-screen debut came in 1985 in Ridley Scott's Legend, a fantasy film that also starred Tom Cruise and Tim Curry.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Tell me a little bit about the technical side of filming a dwarf and an elf together.—
Devan Coggan,
EW.com,
13 Oct. 2022
-
Other new characters include Disa, the first female dwarf ever shown in the Lord of the Rings series.—
Ethan Millman,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2022
Noun
-
Each room was designed to feel like a small private home, complete with its own terrace, living, and dining spaces—and indeed my suite, retro yet refined, felt straight out of Don Draper’s West Coast daydream.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
-
After a few episodes, Tim stopped checking in with his lawyer and his employees and started escaping into whiskey, pills and suicidal daydreams.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
So the Harris image as a lightweight, promoted in part by her cackling responses in some interviews, can be misleading and other candidates for governor would be wise not to underestimate her.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
10 June 2025
-
Stay cool with clothing: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to stay comfortable.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonentity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonentity. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share