clueless

adjective

ˈklü-ləs How to pronounce clueless (audio)
Definition of cluelessnext
as in ignorant
not informed about or aware of something television producers who seem utterly clueless about the concerns and interests of today's teenagers

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 clueless As if each of us isn’t a walking embodiment of our moment, clueless and attuned at once, screaming about one thing and in total denial about another. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026 In a video posted jointly to their Instagram accounts, DeGeneres can be seen hiding behind a wall as the famous momager walked in her direction, clueless to the danger lurking. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 Being clueless did help in some ways. — Kimberly McCreight, Time, 3 June 2026 The couple’s three daughters (Stella Grace Fitzgerald, Birdie Borria and Charlotte Ann Tucker) are then left with their clueless father. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for clueless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clueless
  1. ignorant
  2. unaware
  3. oblivious
Adjective
  • Only those stubbornly ignorant to the human cost of actual combat would be psyched to bring on more of it.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Every coach who loves God, loves this country and wants to protect women needs to speak out against coaches who are that ignorant.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • The Amnesty Most Expats Don't Know Exists The IRS understands that some Americans are simply unaware of their filing obligations while living abroad.
    — Nathalie Goldstein, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Lueck said the names are a cool way to bring in a crowd unaware of piping plovers.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of unaware
Adjective
  • Most of the public was oblivious to Springsteen’s battle with Appel when these shows took place.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
  • But the president continues oblivious to his own unpopularity with a push for World Cup expansion to 64 nations.
    — Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of oblivious

Browse Nearby Words

clueing (in)
clueless
cluelessness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clueless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clueless. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gnomic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All