nonliterary

adjective

ˌnän-ˈli-tə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce nonliterary (audio)
Definition of nonliterarynext
as in colloquial
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing slang words are usually considered nonliterary

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 nonliterary Most of the people on this list worked nonliterary jobs before becoming a successful writer. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonliterary
  1. colloquial
  2. vernacular
  3. informal
Adjective
  • Silent sleep apnea is a colloquial term for the form of the condition that occurs without the loud, disruptive snoring most people associate with it.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Wilson’s translation has come under fire for her decision to render Homeric Greek into a direct, colloquial English.
    — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of colloquial
Adjective
  • Undaunted, the couple embarked on a renovation, working with a local builder and an architect who understood the rustic vernacular architecture associated with Glacier National Park.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Craftsman-style homes, popular between 1905 and 1930, are mainly associated with the bungalows of California, but the Chicago area has its own vernacular examples that share many similarities with the Prairie School and the Arts & Crafts movements.
    — Rachel Freundt, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of vernacular
Adjective
  • On paper, the January agreement between Damascus and the SDF provides a framework for resolving informal wartime boundaries and closed routes and for harmonizing competing duties and parallel systems of governance.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The minimum monthly salary for a state worker in Cuba is 3,210 pesos, currently less than $5 in the informal dollar exchange market.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of informal

Browse Nearby Words

nonliteral
nonliterary
nonliterate
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Cite this Entry

“Nonliterary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonliterary. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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