Do you think that the word "ignorant" is overused?

Question

It seems as though I see that word everywhere. I would seriously love it if someone invented a synonym for 'ignorant' so I didn't always have to see it.
The sad thing is, I don't think 80% of the people who use it even have a decent grasp on its meaning.
'Ignorant', to them, can mean anything from stupid, mean, intolerant, dissenting... anything.
I'm kind of a vocabulary freak, so I get very upset when words are used out of context.
Anyone agree?

Answer 1

yes, all the way

Answer 2

I guess it's a matter of opinion. In regards to how people describe racists and other rude people as ignorant, I prefer to see that as giving the people the benefit of doubt. I know some racist people that actually believe the drivel they spout. They are honestly ignorant of truth. What is sad is that they are also belligerently stubborn about REMAINING ignorant. They refuse to listen to anyone who disagrees with them. So they are stuck living in their depressing, negative fantasy world, just so they can blame their problems on some other group.

As some other people have mentioned, the amount of ignorance displayed on this site is often disheartening. When people are willfully ignorant, do you feel another word should be used to describe them ? Even if the other word is seen as more pejorative and may only reinforce the ignorant person's determination to remain ignorant of logic and reality ? Granted, in many cases I don't know if anything will move some people from their odd little fantasy worlds, but I try not to add to their isolation by being unnecessarily harsh in my description.

Answer 3

Here are some alternative words and definitions (though I still love the word ignorant):

Boorish
Inconsiderate
Ill-bred
Impolite
Ill-mannered
Bad-mannered Rude
Badly informed
Uninformed
Unaware
Adj.1.ignorantignorant - lacking general education or knowledge; "an ignorant man"; "nescient of contemporary literature"; "an unlearned group incapable of understanding complex issues"; "exhibiting contempt for his unlettered companions"
nescient, unlettered, unenlightened, unlearned
uneducated - not having a good education
2.ignorant - ignorant of the fundamentals of a given art or branch of knowledge; "ignorant of quantum mechanics"; "musically illiterate"
illiterate
uneducated - not having a good education
3.ignorant - lacking basic knowledge; "how can someone that age be so ignorant?"; "inexperienced and new to the real world"
inexperienced
naif, naive - marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience; "a teenager's naive ignorance of life"; "the naive assumption that things can only get better"; "this naive simple creature with wide friendly eyes so eager to believe appearances"
4.ignorant - used of things; lacking sense or awareness; "ignorant hope"; "fine innocent weather"
innocent
archaicism, archaism - the use of an archaic expression
unconscious - not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead; "lay unconscious on the floor"
5.ignorantignorant - lacking knowledge or skill; "unversed in the jargon of the social scientist"
unversed
6.ignorantignorant - lacking information or knowledge; "an unknowledgeable assistant"
unknowing, unknowledgeable, unwitting
uninformed - not informed; lacking in knowledge or information; "the uniformed public"

1. Lacking education or knowledge.
2. Showing or arising from a lack of education or knowledge: an ignorant mistake.
3. Unaware or uninformed.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IGNORANT MEANS?

Answer 4

Definitely overused. There are things that I'm against because of moral beliefs, and when confronted by someone who doesn't like it, they call it ignorance! I like to think I have strong morals, not ignorant, you know? People call racists ignorant, can't figure out why, racists know better, they know what they think about other people, sure they are *****, but I wouldn't say ignorant. But yes, the term ignorance is widely overused, and that word just irritates me sometimes.

Answer 5

From what I understand, ignorant means lack of knowledge, but most people use it to mean rude, or impolite. I am the same way you are about vocabulary. I am not a genius or anything like that, but it drives me crazy when people don't use the word broke correctly. I hate it when they say, "The lamp is broke," instead of, "The lamp is broken." Things like that make me buggy too! I guess that makes them ignorant! ;)

Answer 6

THe plight of a vocabulary freak. YOu have to try to look at the intent, not everyone has your vocabulary but they are trying to communicate. instead of focusing on the fact they're using the wrong word, try to understand what it is they are trying to communicate.

Answer 7

i agree to some extent
but it seems like it just has to be used more these days for obvious reasons
unfortunately, if you know what i mean
but yeah the out of contect thing is annoying

Answer 8

I would actually rather hear the word ignorant more often, as opposed to "you're retarded" or the like. Out of context or not, ignorant is not offensive.

Answer 9

how amusing, people too ignorant to understand the proper use of the word "ignorant". truly amazing but not surprising.

Answer 10

Not as overused as the word "stupid".

Answer 11

Yes, let's start using "moron" more. Since I've seen plenty of them in my daily life.