Synonyms of unaware

unaware 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ə-ˈwer 

as in oblivious

not informed about or aware of something

she was unaware of the change in travel plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oblivious
• ignorant
• unmindful
• uninformed
• unconscious
• clueless
• unknowing
• unwitting
• in the dark
• innocent
• incognizant
• unacquainted
• nescient
• uneducated
• insensible
• unschooled
• untaught
• absent
• heedless
• inattentive
• abstracted
• absentminded
• inconscient

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aware
• conscious
• cognizant
• knowing
• acquainted
• informed
• mindful
• grounded
• conversant
• taught
• hip
• up-to-date
• knowledgeable
• educated
• witting
• observant
• sensitive
• plugged-in
• schooled
• sentient
• au courant
• heedful

unaware

2 of 2

adverb

as in suddenly

without warning

the predawn attack took the airmen completely unaware

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suddenly
• unexpectedly
• unawares
• all of a sudden
• aback
• off base
• abruptly
• unanticipatedly
• surprisingly
• short
• amazingly
• astoundingly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slowly
• obviously
• sluggishly
• leisurely
• tardily
• laggardly
• pokily

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unaware

Adjective

Eleanor, now sickly and desperate, clings to her husband completely unaware of his plans to leave her. — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Hundreds of people milled about, unaware of the invisible forces shifting beneath their feet. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

The sources told the outlet that soldiers were unaware that a car that made a U-turn next to a military roadblock was driven by an American diplomat and thought someone was illegally avoiding the roadblock. — CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Though unaware at the time, Davis and her classmates had a front-row seat to history. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026