UNGRAMMATICAL Synonyms: 6 Similar and Opposite Words

ungrammatical

adjective

ˌən-grə-ˈma-ti-kəl

Definition of ungrammatical

as in illiterate

violating approved patterns of speaking and writing the résumé and its ungrammatical cover letter were summarily thrown in the trash

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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 ungrammatical The notes were vintage O’Keeffe—brief, vivid, enlightening, and, yes, often ungrammatical, but brilliantly so. — Calvin Tomkins, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025 But if language exemplifies the human capacity for internalizing grammatical conventions, then my moment of rule-breaking does not in fact expose some ungrammatical first nature. — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025 That could be useful for conversations where telegraphic, ungrammatical messages would come off as impolite. — Tom Simonite, Wired, 18 Oct. 2020 But to many Americans, the pronouns are ungrammatical and confusing. — Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2019 None of that here in the pretentious, inauthentic speech of an ungrammatical kid. — Toby Zinman, Philly.com, 11 June 2018 Yes, its ungrammatical slogan does not exactly roll off the tongue. — Mark Lisanti, Vanities, 11 May 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungrammatical

illiterate

Adjective

Coming from a village in a southern province, illiterate, and speaking only local dialect, women like her come to Beijing to live with their sons and daughters.

— Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
In the Pale of Settlement, it was often looked down on as a language of women, children and the illiterate.

— Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of illiterate

Browse Nearby Words

ungraciousness

ungrammatical

ungraspable

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“Ungrammatical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungrammatical. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ungrammatical

adjective

Example Sentences

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