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

Brownstein is sitting in a parking lot in Los Angeles, wearing a cardigan and glasses, people walking past her window, unaware of who’s inside. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The metalpoint tool sometimes slips or skitters; the fountain pen sometimes stops working—though, deprived of vision, the artist is unaware, and keeps drawing the now-invisible line. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Many people are still unaware of how postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis can show up for birthing parents, so more discussion is needed to demystify these conditions. — Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

James, though loving and well-intentioned, can’t help but show his skepticism, repeatedly (and blithely unaware of his condescension) asking if his wife remembered to take her meds today. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026