unsuspecting

adjective

un·​sus·​pect·​ing ˌən-sə-ˈspek-tiŋ How to pronounce unsuspecting (audio)
: unaware of any danger or threat : not suspecting
unsuspecting victims
unsuspectingly adverb

Examples of unsuspecting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One unsuspecting person gave it to an impostor promising insurance subsidies. Tara Siegel Bernard, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The scourge of conflicts around the globe, abhorred for killing and maiming unsuspecting civilians and lingering hidden for decades, mines provide cartels with a tactical edge on the battlefield and widen the potential for collateral damage. Keegan Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Ray-Ray McCloud was a serviceable return specialist, but perhaps his final image in a 49ers uniform was the failure to pounce on a punt that ricocheted off unsuspecting rookie Darrell Luter Jr.’s foot. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Arvin Joseph Mirasol allegedly began filming unsuspecting people, including underage girls, aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise ships in December 2023, per a federal complaint obtained by PEOPLE. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Without his symphonic genius, some of the most indelible images in movie history — from E.T.’s flight across the moon to the ravenous shark zeroing in on an unsuspecting swimmer — would have lacked their singular power. Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 Gangs continue to hijack public transportation vehicles, loot and steal from businesses, torch private homes and kidnap unsuspecting Haitians for ransom and torture them in order to force payments. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Even into early Hollywood and Hollywood classics, there are some films that the unsuspecting eye maybe wouldn’t expect to see. Elaina Patton, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2024 The Drug Enforcement Administration warns that counterfeit prescription drugs like Adderall and oxycodone often contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, which can be unknown to an unsuspecting consumer. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsuspecting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsuspecting was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near unsuspecting

Cite this Entry

“Unsuspecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuspecting. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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