illegible

adjective

(ˌ)i(l)-ˈle-jə-bəl How to pronounce illegible (audio)
Definition of illegiblenext
as in unreadable
incapable of being read or deciphered illegible signatures on the petition will be disregarded

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 illegible But, outside of clothing items and a set of denture plates inscribed with a partially illegible set of numbers, there was too little evidence recovered from the scene to generate leads in the case. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 29 July 2026 On many, the names, birth years and death years are illegible. — Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026 Federal grievances may be thrown out for being trivial, illegible or not pertaining to an issue that can be addressed through the bureau's system. — Christie Thompson, NPR, 17 June 2026 This illegible language continues to distinguish his works on a global level. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for illegible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegible
  1. unreadable
  2. obscure
  3. indecipherable
  4. faint
  5. undecipherable
  6. unclear
Adjective
  • Arcel is masterful in a character study whose protagonist is often unreadable and elusive — and whose previously unexposed inner cold streak proves catastrophic to her community.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Putting his lean and sinewy physicality to disquieting use, McNairy makes Wilson both unreadable and coldly transparent, giving him equal parts menace and magnetism.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of unreadable
Adjective
  • What came next would eventually turn an obscure Medicaid settlement into a criminal investigation.
    — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • There was very little original local production, and people were finding their favourite TV shows through obscure corners of the web.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • Her life may have been her language, formal, developed, indecipherable.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Unfortunately, the full document was nigh-indecipherable—LLMs tend to explain their proofs in unhelpful ways, spending inordinate time on minor details while glancing past important steps.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of indecipherable
Adjective
  • While the planets in our solar system are still visible, sky glow obscures more distant objects, such as fainter stars.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Pulse, the faintest signal tested, produced 50 to 100 millivolts.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • Georgia relies on machines that count ballots by reading QR codes that are undecipherable to humans.
    — Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The spirit and the symbolism were, at times, undecipherable.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of undecipherable
Adjective
  • The scope of the investigation into Omar is unclear, though Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested that authorities were examining potential crimes related to her family's immigration paperwork.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • He’s also accused of having improper or unclear license plates, no proof of registration and insurance, and no proof of a driver’s license.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of unclear

Browse Nearby Words

illegally
illegible
illegitimacy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illegible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegible. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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