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

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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

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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

Sutskever is portrayed as the idealistic, naive hero — the ingenious mind behind the lab’s entire existence who can’t stomach lying and is reluctant to accumulate any power.

— Hayden Field, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
Rebecca and Verity, which stars Johnson, are also about a new, naïve lover entering the home of a bad man with a wife hidden in his house of horrors.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of naive

Adjective

On February 14, 2024, the air force struck a tunnel in that neighborhood, targeting two senior Hamas commanders, unaware of six hostages inside.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Blissfully unaware of the industry’s collective eye baggage and only concerned about her own (non-existent) dark circles is Saoirse Ronan, who Eurostar-ed her way to Paris just for the Louis Vuitton show.

— Alice Newbold, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of unaware

Adjective

More than 150 innocent civilians were also killed in those strikes, according to a report released by the Pentagon this August.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
In England, poet William Cowper portrayed Mai as an innocent corrupted by European society.

— Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of innocent

Adjective

Some people in the White House treated Jackie as a cipher, ignorant of almost everything happening.

— Laurence Leamer, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
And in a world increasingly populated by people who are absolutely certain that everyone who disagrees with them is either ignorant or immoral, our universities could use considerably more of all three.

— Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignorant

Adjective

The Upland resident owns Young’s Automotive in Covina, according to the statement, where he is accused of placing the cameras to record unsuspecting victims using the bathroom.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Michael Conforto dumped a full beer down the back of an unsuspecting Carson Kelly while across the room Shota Imanaga threw his head back, opened his arms and let out a yell as assistant hitting coach Juan Cabreja uncorked the champagne.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuspecting

Adjective

Atiqullah remained at midfield, oblivious, the blanket over his head.

— Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
Keeping her husband happy yet oblivious—managing his baby fever with staged fake miscarriages—only goes so far when Martha begins suffering an inexplicable illness that culminates in an impossible pregnancy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of oblivious

Adjective

His lyrics, his hooks, his unmistakable voice, his optimism, his belief in the power of a simple song to make people feel good.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Some people want to change the world, and others want to operate in simple harmony with it and savor life.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of simple

Adjective

These experienced and skilled athletes, who are often 22 or 23 years old, are appealing to coaches, especially when compared with inexperienced and physically less developed freshmen.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Hafley also cautioned against placing the sole blame on Willis, who started just the 11th game of his career and is leading a young offense with mostly inexperienced receivers who are still developing chemistry.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

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unknowable

unknowing

unknowingly

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Style

“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unknowing

adjective

Example Sentences

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