unknowing

adjective

ˌən-ˈnō-iŋ How to pronounce unknowing (audio)
Definition of unknowingnext
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

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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

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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowing
  1. naive
  2. unaware
  3. innocent
  4. ignorant
  5. unsuspecting
  6. oblivious
  7. simple
  8. inexperienced
Adjective
  • 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
  • Their 16-year-old had gone from being a naive gamer to converting to an extreme vision of Islam in a matter of months – and began judging the world through that dark prism.
    — Jeff Winter, CNN Money, 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
  • Since then, Verity had been faking her vegetative state in order to … that part doesn’t entirely make sense, but the point is Lowen and Jeremy killed an innocent woman.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The suspects are innocent unless proven guilty by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • Also, the incorrect assumption among those who either are ignorant of the real economic realities or just don’t care and just want to pander to their own districts.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The old worst dressed lists could be cruel, sexist, culturally ignorant, and spectacularly misguided.
    — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • 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
  • The film’s raunchiness might have surprised some unsuspecting viewers at Zurich Film Festival.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of unsuspecting
Adjective
  • 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
  • The $125 million production stars a nearly unrecognizable Cruise playing an oblivious oil tycoon whose drilling in Greenland dislodges an ice shelf from a glacier that’s going to cause a global disaster.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of oblivious
Adjective
  • That single choice unleashes a harrowing chain of strange and terrifying events in the dead of night, turning a simple gesture of kindness into a real-life nightmare.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Waffles and pimento Another enduring element of Chick-fil-A is its famously simple menu.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • The problem of absent or inexperienced ambassadors goes both ways.
    — Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Officials are urging anyone spending time near the water to use a life jacket, especially children and inexperienced swimmers.
    — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of inexperienced

Browse Nearby Words

unknowable
unknowing
unknowingly
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Cite this Entry

“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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