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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unknowing
One of the strongest scenes in this episode is Maeve teaching the unknowing captive Sam how to swim.
—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
As such, when Mia brings an innocent, unknowing stranger back to her apartment and begins to torture him, Dexter— witnessing the events unfold from across the street — calls authorities and Mia is arrested.
—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
The Mangusta has none, and traveling over tar strips and on certain road surfaces is enough to prompt unknowing passengers to inquire with some urgency as to the source of all that noise.
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Car and Driver,
13 Jan. 2023
Now axe-wielding and neck-snapping murderers, the duo have launched into a flesh-seeking rampage, honey-bent on killing not just their former human friend but descending on four unknowing college students staying at home in the woods.
—
Abbey White,
The Hollywood Reporter,
31 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
As such, when Mia brings an innocent, unknowing stranger back to her apartment and begins to torture him, Dexter— witnessing the events unfold from across the street — calls authorities and Mia is arrested.
—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
The Mangusta has none, and traveling over tar strips and on certain road surfaces is enough to prompt unknowing passengers to inquire with some urgency as to the source of all that noise.
—
Car and Driver,
13 Jan. 2023
Now axe-wielding and neck-snapping murderers, the duo have launched into a flesh-seeking rampage, honey-bent on killing not just their former human friend but descending on four unknowing college students staying at home in the woods.
—
Abbey White,
The Hollywood Reporter,
31 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowing
Adjective
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In her own naive way, Miss Manners notices that your concern about gift cards requires a remarkable number of dollar signs to express.
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And radical hope — not naive optimism, but hope that lives in imagination.
Adjective
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Rothrock said there is no specific type of offender, such as a foreign visitor unaware of American laws.
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Although unaware of Rangnick’s comments, Bentaleb echoed the Austrian coach’s words.
Adjective
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But the document also made clear, as every criminal case must, that the charges were accusations and that the defendant was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Nearly two-dozen suspects are now off the streets after being charged with dozens of shootings involving innocent bystanders.
Adjective
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Their earliest performances could be fun and irreverent, too, but Boy George says they were also marred by ignorant, homophobic heckling.
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And using both words does not reveal that a person is ignorant but rather cosmopolitan.
Adjective
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Named the SpiderCam, the prototype from Northwestern University replicates the manner in which the spiders' eyes allow the creatures to gauge distances before making a surprise sideways jump at some unsuspecting victim minding its own business.
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It’s based on the classic Alanis Morissette album of the same name, which barrelled over an unsuspecting America in 1995.
Adjective
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In the room next door, Aaresh plays video games with his friend, like any other 12-year-old boy, taking a break from his homework and studying for a French exam, and oblivious to how his parents’ fight could change his life and those of others like him.
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The bear was completely oblivious to this crowd of people screaming and throwing things at it.
Adjective
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The questions Campbell needs to answer are simple.
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Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple.
Adjective
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The subtext beneath that statement is that Syd recognizes why Tina might be loath to take orders from a boss who is younger and, relative to Carmy, inexperienced in the business.
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Army investigations have repeatedly pointed to the same factors contributing to fatal training incidents including sleep deprivation, inadequate training and inexperienced leaders supervising high-risk exercises.
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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