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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
-
At a time of growing polarization, goodwill may seem outdated or naïve.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The court’s abdication of its modern responsibility for supervising electoral democracy seems to rest on the naive belief that democracy will succeed in regulating itself.—
Noah Feldman,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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The second leg of the triangle would be to have three or four of the CTA board members be people who actually use the CTA, rather than a board of all political back-scratchers who are unaware of the CTA’s dynamics.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
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Prosecutors say the shooting victim is currently unable to move anything but his eyes and is unaware when his family is in the room with him at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Why kill an innocent man for crossing an arbitrary line in the sand?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Three people are dead and she, a completely innocent party in this whole mess, is left holding the check.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
And using both words does not reveal that a person is ignorant but rather cosmopolitan.—
Kirk Bowman,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
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Trump cut education aid, people got ignorant.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Clement and Waititi appear in front of the camera as well as two of the vampires sharing a Wellington flat and doing their best to lure unsuspecting victims to drink their blood without drawing too much attention from the modern world.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
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Gutters can be unsuspecting areas where water builds up and creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cards and well-wishes poured in from around the world, as did calls from oblivious travelers.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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Some economic shocks travel slowly – a danger to which many governments seem oblivious.—
John W.H. Denton AO,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
My wife goes into the kitchen and returns with beer, fruit, and a few simple dishes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The measure needs a simple majority to win.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
In the end, an inexperienced minor – who has no idea who hired them – pulls the trigger.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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Niemeyer found that random killing also creates chaos by replacing older coyotes that have learned the dangers of depredating livestock with younger, inexperienced coyotes that do depredate.—
Ted Williams,
Denver Post,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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