Synonyms of unknowing

unknowing

adjective

ˌən-ˈnō-iŋ 

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

• naive
• innocent
• unsuspecting
• simple
• inexperienced
• immature
• unsophisticated
• primitive
• unsuspicious
• uncritical
• unwary
• unworldly
• ingenuous
• dewy
• green
• trusting
• simpleminded
• wide-eyed
• childish
• trustful
• believing
• naïf
• careless
• dewy-eyed
• childlike
• aw-shucks
• gullible
• idealistic
• impractical
• callow
• credulous
• unrealistic
• susceptible
• thoughtless
• heedless
• unguarded
• raw
• duped
• tricked
• gulled
• beguiled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• knowing
• worldly
• experienced
• critical
• sophisticated
• suspicious
• cynical
• cosmopolitan
• skeptical
• incredulous
• careful
• watchful
• cautious
• unconvinced
• wary
• worldly-wise
• leery
• doubting
• realistic
• pragmatic
• suspecting
• guarded
• sober
• down-to-earth
• hardheaded
• streetwise
• street-smart

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

• unaware
• ignorant
• oblivious
• unwitting
• uninformed
• unconscious
• unmindful
• clueless
• in the dark
• innocent
• nescient
• incognizant
• unacquainted
• uneducated
• insensible
• unschooled
• untaught
• heedless
• inattentive
• absent
• absentminded
• abstracted
• inconscient

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aware
• knowing
• conscious
• cognizant
• mindful
• informed
• acquainted
• grounded
• conversant
• hip
• taught
• witting
• knowledgeable
• educated
• up-to-date
• observant
• sensitive
• plugged-in
• sentient
• au courant
• schooled
• heedful

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unknowing

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

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