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
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
Pity the unknowing curiste who confuses a resident of the city, a Vichyssois, with a supporter of Pétain’s government, a vichyste.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
Cheung in 1997 watched the handover unfolding on television as an unknowing 4-year-old kindergartner enjoying steamed fish.
—Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022
Their names and emails can then be used by bad actors to target them in various email schemes that can harm unknowing customers.
—Daniel Barber, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022
Pity the unknowing curiste who confuses a resident of the city, a Vichyssois, with a supporter of Pétain’s government, a vichyste.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
Cheung in 1997 watched the handover unfolding on television as an unknowing 4-year-old kindergartner enjoying steamed fish.
—Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022
Their names and emails can then be used by bad actors to target them in various email schemes that can harm unknowing customers.
—Daniel Barber, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowing
Adjective
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Trump isn’t naive and knows that Netanyahu has incentives to preserve electoral support by remaining a wartime leader.—
Faisal J. Abbas,
semafor.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Gabber’s got this naive brutality to it.—
Alma Rota,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But creditors allege First Brands used the same invoice multiple times to access funds from private lenders that were unaware of the double dipping.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
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Riverside staffers seemed unaware and couldn’t find a key to the room for a good half hour.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The innocent landowners outlined in the bills are defined as those who have pollution on their property due to no fault of their own.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Ken Woroner—Netflix In Shelley's book, the Creature either directly murders or is responsible for the deaths of several innocent people as part as his quest for vengeance against Victor.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The pilot has moments both sweet and funny, and sets up the possibility of romance amongst the characters, as well as further high jinks from a rotating cast of license seekers and citizens ignorant of the requirements for a Real ID.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
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At the time, central Appalachia was widely depicted in the popular press as a backward, ignorant region whose mountainous terrain kept its people isolated, outside the flow of progress – a stereotype still common today.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Monochromatic Raven loves to stick to a simple, serene palette by combining a variety of white tulips with different bloom times.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
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This Madewell version channels that effortless, neutral polish Kitts described—simple, structured, and endlessly versatile.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But Carpenter’s unblinking Duffy played it straight, seemingly oblivious to their panic and focusing instead on the pillow’s soft feel and comfort level.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
19 Oct. 2025
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This is not to say that Woody was oblivious to my problems.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Extremist or hate group recruitment Alarmingly, violent extremists are taking advantage of open platforms like Discord, using it as a recruiting ground for vulnerable and unsuspecting users.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
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The same trigger the player would use to shoot a gun is used to throw Poké Balls at unsuspecting monsters, and there’s never been a mechanic in a Pokémon game that feels as immersive.—
Ryan Gaur,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The inexperienced head coach has sensibly made only minor tweaks since taking over, sticking with the compact, direct football that has served Brentford so well.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Scaloni, whose team finished in first place in South American World Cup qualifying, was using Friday’s match, and the Tuesday match against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, to integrate some of the younger and inexperienced players on the roster.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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