UNKNOWING Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

unknowing

adjective

ˌən-ˈnō-iŋ

Definition of unknowing

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

as in unaware

not informed about or aware of something the poor woman has been the unknowing target of some pretty vicious gossip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unknowing But the scale of the production design challenge was in building spaces that would appear seamless but allow the crew to always track Norman and adjust the frame in order to spotlight the show’s unknowing hero — over almost 300,000 square feet. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026 From around January to June 2022, the couple tricked unknowing subordinates into adding fake vendors to the company's system, officials said. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026 The detective, once the exemplar of reason, drifts here into a fog of unknowing. — Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 One of the strongest scenes in this episode is Maeve teaching the unknowing captive Sam how to swim. — Grace Byron, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unknowing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowing

Adjective

Ann gets older, growing up to be played by Lucy Halliday, who exudes the same naïve energy in a more worldly body.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
Mischa Glooshkoff, aka Michael Graves, has light brown curls, a wicked grin, and a wiry frame—perfect casting for the grand boulevardier who would lead my naïve young father astray.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of naive

Adjective

One of the key questions investigators are working to answer is why the control center appeared to be unaware that a train remained stalled on the tracks ahead of a train moving at 120 mph.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
But Vester, the assistant city manager, on Tuesday told commissioners the city was unaware of the naming-rights contract until recently.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of unaware

Adjective

Investigators believe the girl and two adults who were shot were innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire after an argument escalated into gunfire, according to police.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Maryland is hardly an innocent bystander in America’s gerrymandering wars.

— Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of innocent

Adjective

Understandably, Penn struggles to hold these disparate points of focus together with a performance that vacillates between disarmingly dopey and almost willfully ignorant of the realities of the 2000s media landscape.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Some people in the White House treated Jackie as a cipher, ignorant of almost everything happening.

— Laurence Leamer, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignorant

Adjective

Not only were there legal as well as reputational risks to consider, there was also the open question of how many other unsuspecting writers out there were about to be similarly surprised.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
The new film employs the style of comedy that the star used in such previous features as 2006’s Borat and its 2020 sequel, along with 2009’s Brüno, in which unsuspecting individuals become the focus of social commentary.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuspecting

Adjective

Here’s the feckless poor, here’s the striving poor, here’s the oblivious cheerful poor, here’s the drug addict, here’s the drunk.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
Confident in the safety of their compound, Andrew and the soldiers were oblivious to the boy’s bad intentions.

— Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of oblivious

Adjective

According to Fulton County jail records, New has been arrested multiple times on suspicion of crimes including identity theft, insurance fraud, financial transaction card fraud, forgery and simple assault.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
For this black jeans outfit idea, wear your go-to pair with a simple, breathable Oxford shirt that’s ideal for the office or dinner dates alike.

— India Roby, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of simple

Browse Nearby Words

unknowable

unknowing

unknowingly

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Style

“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of unknowing

adjective

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