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
Relevance
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
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
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.
—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
-
Not because older Americans are more naive.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
When it was first released in December 1980, it was seen as too weird for kids and too naive for adults, but it has since been reconsidered as a unique snapshot of intersecting talents — a strange, wonderful, one-of-a-kind movie.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Stay composed when you’re caught unaware.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Americans are largely unaware of these threats precisely because when the system works, they are contained quickly.—
Stephanie Psaki,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
These armed hostilities have maimed, mutilated and killed millions of human beings — many of them innocent civilians.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Becerra may have been an innocent victim, but $120,000 a year is a lot of money to pay someone to babysit a largely unused stack of cash.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
But even for someone like myself, totally ignorant to the lore and not really seeking to change that, the Star Wars universe can look genuinely interesting, and some games every now and then manage to tap into that potential.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Jahmil Eady – Freaky As gentrifiers take over her neighborhood, a Gullah Geechee woman, Annabelle (Melanie Nicholls-King) calls on ancestral knowledge, which has dire consequences for the newcomers who have begun to take over the land, ignorant of its history.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
What about the unsuspecting wives of drug dealers, terrorists and pedophiles?—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
-
Her good friend Joe Mazzulla, the Boston Celtics’ coach, did something similar to the beat writers there, crushing an unsuspecting press corps 57-4 in just 12 minutes in October.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Davis has either tuned out or somehow remained oblivious to any fan sentiment that diminishes the magnitude of his home run because of what unfolded after it.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
About to hit rock bottom, Peter is therefore oblivious to the +44 numbers that are blowing up his phone, until the caller — a British clubber called Edison (the fantastic Kirby Howell-Baptiste) — arrives on his doorstep.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
While the simple Deluxe Room is ideal for a quick overnight trip, guests looking for a longer stay should spread out in the Junior Suite with Living & Dining Area, which opens onto a semi-private stone patio with a bocce court and a firepit in the warmer months.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
-
Huxley might easily have written a simpler novel glorifying intellectuals while mocking Stoyte’s greed and indifference to suffering.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
The key with this inexperienced crew is patience.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2026
-
When junior employees ask similar questions, it may be interpreted as being unprepared or inexperienced.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
