1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
those unknowing people who think that the world is a kindly place are in for a rude awakening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unaware
not informed about or aware of something
the poor woman has been the unknowing target of some pretty vicious gossip
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 unknowing
Was this teacher an unknowing servant of the patriarchy, as Kara Cooney would argue, or a naïve propagandist of the oil industry, as Riggs herself comes to believe?
—
Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2022
Obviously, Beth’s unknowing sterilization was a tragic event, a violation of bodily autonomy that nobody should go through.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2021
Their names and emails can then be used by bad actors to target them in various email schemes that can harm unknowing customers.
—Daniel Barber, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2021
Cybercriminals sent phishing emails to millions of users hoping an unknowing individual would open the malicious document.
—Jonathan Fischbein, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2022
Obviously, Beth’s unknowing sterilization was a tragic event, a violation of bodily autonomy that nobody should go through.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2021
Their names and emails can then be used by bad actors to target them in various email schemes that can harm unknowing customers.
—Daniel Barber, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2021
Cybercriminals sent phishing emails to millions of users hoping an unknowing individual would open the malicious document.
—Jonathan Fischbein, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowing
Adjective
-
The first big work people make, that first foray into the public eye, has something so naive about it.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
-
But his answers Thursday painted the picture of an organization willing to trust internal answers over trading Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr. That is either delusional, naive, or both.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
The good news about season 3 taking us back in time is that many of those characters are likely to return, unaware of the grisly fates awaiting them.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
-
Many of these students and their families were unaware of their full mathematical potential.—
Julia Brodsky,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
While our lives tick along as normal these endless thousands of innocent human souls are still being expelled from the earth… for what?—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2025
-
Al Nassr When a YouTuber named Abu Omar dared to do an innocent impression of supervillain Lionel Messi at the home of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr gave a calm and measured response.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Simone, still at the hospital, remains blissfully ignorant of Kiki’s vengeful turn.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
Conservative media, once a proud home to voices like Charles Krauthammer, Jonah Goldberg, and Bill Kristol, now platforms ignorant Trump sycophants who have no use for conservative principles — or principles of any kind.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
The way to peace is simple: get Hamas out and get aid in.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
-
In addition to experiencing a surge of sensual energy with greater emphasis on life’s simple pleasures, Venus in Taurus has everything to do with feeling grounded and finding stability in both love and finances.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Photograph by Bettmann / Getty Paul Mantz, who’d remained Earhart’s technical adviser, was at an aviation competition in St. Louis, oblivious to her latest plans.—
Laurie Gwen Shapiro,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
-
Save for one completely unconvincing arc in Episode 5, Anton isn’t as oblivious as the rest of his friends.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
The film’s synopsis reads: Set in London’s iconic shadowy underground, the malevolent figure of Creep unleashes fresh terror on unsuspecting tube passengers and Londoners.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
27 May 2025
-
And bringing all these hustlers together is the greatest con artist of them all – a cunning macaque who feeds on the spoils from unsuspecting tourists.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share