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
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
-
There is still an almost naïve charm to how Aras speaks about hockey, his new obsession.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Felix is not naïve about this process.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Around the time of her daughter Moriah's murder in 2022 about 2000 miles away in Austin, Karen Wilson, unaware of the tragedy unfolding, read a poem about hope.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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But Robert Matthew Garner was unaware that the inmate was also communicating with Porter County Sheriff’s investigators, a probable cause statement says.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Critics of the system say its an invasion of privacy that creates a mass surveillance network and tracks innocent people during their daily travels.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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The 50-year-old coach said the interaction was completely innocent.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shaban, who had several weeks to prepare for his confirmation hearing, seemed stunningly ignorant of the basic elements of an arrest, prosecution, and resolution of criminal charges in Connecticut.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
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Across Southern California, e-bike popularity has soared, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic — with a disportionate number of young riders ignorant or ignoring the rules of the road, authorities say, leading to crashes and in some cases fatalities.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Will the agency adopt the model of personal injury attorneys and serial plaintiffs who have abused the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Unruh Civil Rights Act to shake down unsuspecting business owners for purely technical violations of the law?—
Adam Summers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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What prosecutors say actually happened inside the Banfields’ Fairfax County home was the result of something far more convoluted and sinister — a deadly catfishing scheme that was motivated by an affair and relied on a fetish website to lure an unsuspecting man to his death.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And so the White House is not oblivious to this, of course.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Such people are oblivious to how low America’s standing has fallen.—
Max Hastings,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Styles for men and women are available -- all with Allbirds design philosophy that's clean, modern and perfectly simple -- lightweight, bouncy and wildly comfortable.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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On April 18, that reverence will look like music, laughter and a line of people waiting for something hot out of the fryer — a simple plate carrying stories from across the world, all landing in one place.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Steve Ponto said his daughter means well, but is inexperienced and especially passionate.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Messi went in as a halftime substitute in the 2-1 victory over Mauritania on March 27, a result against an inexperienced opponent that did not sit well with Scaloni.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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