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
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
Obviously, Beth’s unknowing sterilization was a tragic event, a violation of bodily autonomy that nobody should go through.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2021
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
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
Obviously, Beth’s unknowing sterilization was a tragic event, a violation of bodily autonomy that nobody should go through.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2021
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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By enjoying the exciting spectacle, their fans have willingly become mindless followers—idol worshippers who are too misguided, and naive, to see they’re being led toward their own destruction.—
Yvonne Kim,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
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Speaking of burnout, that was the ultimate destination for the generation that came before, singed by their naive belief that adopting a neo-Stakhanovite approach to work and careers would pay off.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Animal shelter employees were unaware that officials used the machine for narcotics, Halverson said.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
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Yet most viewers are unaware of the complex coordination that takes place out of sight.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Someone's mispronunciation, for example, might have more do with innocent ignorance as opposed to a mistake worth correcting.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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The new location will allow Wiggam Law to support clients outside of downtown Atlanta and directly in Gwinnett County, offering legal services including audit defense, tax litigation, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief and IRS collections representation.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The league might be skeptical that the Clippers were merely ignorant of the Aspiration-Leonard relationship and question why the team didn’t undertake more diligence.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Conversations that would’ve otherwise been fun and intellectually stimulating will start to feel childish and ignorant.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Their simple plan goes awry when one of their relatives wants a posh Korean wedding banquet in the heartfelt romantic comedy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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The inspiration The Copleys wanted a low-water garden that would be simple to care for.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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He's witnessed countless episodes of passengers wearing noise-canceling headphones and earbuds walking through airport terminals, oblivious to their surroundings and putting themselves and others in danger.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Oh, to be oblivious like Daniel.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Nestled among the picturesque seaside towns on France’s blustery northern coast is an unsuspecting place called Deauville.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
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The video then shows the suspect unfolding a knife and standing before attacking the unsuspecting Zarutska.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Clearly frustrated, Palencia gave up five runs and recorded zero outs during the ninth inning of that 6-3 loss to the Washington Nationals, a last-place team with a largely inexperienced and nondescript lineup.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Having won five straight Ryder Cups and 12 of the last 13, the American team entered as the heavy favorite despite fielding a relatively inexperienced squad.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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