unsuspecting

adjective

un·​sus·​pect·​ing ˌən-sə-ˈspek-tiŋ 

: unaware of any danger or threat : not suspecting

unsuspecting victims

unsuspectingly adverb

Synonyms of unsuspecting

• naive
• innocent
• inexperienced
• simple
• unwary

Examples of unsuspecting in a Sentence

sidewalk vendors selling bogus gems to unsuspecting tourists

Recent Examples on the Web

The eruption unfolded in five phases over about 24 hours, a harrowing, cumulative ordeal for unsuspecting residents. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Terrifying witches who bewitch unsuspecting travelers with cursed meat. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Six fighting bulls and their steers repeatedly knocked runners to the cobblestones, with one bull breaking from the herd and slamming into a cluster of unsuspecting participants. — Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Arriving officers encountered an unsuspecting and armed individual at the home in the 16400 block of Bormet Drive, but persuaded him drop the gun, police said. — Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsuspecting

• disconnecting
• disinfecting
• interjecting
• intersecting
• recollecting
• reconnecting
• redirecting
• resurrecting
• unreflecting
• affecting
• bisecting
• collecting