as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
sidewalk vendors selling bogus gems to unsuspecting tourists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 unsuspecting
James Wellesley and his business partner, Stephen Burton, are accused of running a Ponzi-like scheme by lying to unsuspecting international investors, including New Yorkers, that they were backed by a stockpile of valuable wine and clientele of high-net-worth collectors that didn’t actually exist.
—
Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
There are also four boats ready to squirt water on unsuspecting bystanders with just a quick squeeze.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 10 July 2025
Their goal is to collect publication fees from unsuspecting researchers who wish to disseminate their findings quickly and with little resistance.
—Sheldon H. Jacobson, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Huddled together were three dogs—two golden retrievers and one mini Australian shepherd—caught mid-meeting, all eyes fixed on a tiny, unsuspecting guest: a frog.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsuspecting
Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
There are also four boats ready to squirt water on unsuspecting bystanders with just a quick squeeze.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 10 July 2025
Their goal is to collect publication fees from unsuspecting researchers who wish to disseminate their findings quickly and with little resistance.
—Sheldon H. Jacobson, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Huddled together were three dogs—two golden retrievers and one mini Australian shepherd—caught mid-meeting, all eyes fixed on a tiny, unsuspecting guest: a frog.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsuspecting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuspecting
Adjective
-
Even Portugal, who have been naive defensively but have considerable pace in attack, could threaten in transition, and Italy will need to shore up that element of their game to avoid being caught out.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
-
So, the whole thing just seems naive from people who’ve been oppressed by this murderous regime for 46 years.—
Fiction Non Fiction
July 3,
Literary Hub,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Comprehensive cell phone analysis can be just as powerful in clearing innocent drivers by proving no user interaction occurred.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
But the alternative is much worse: a world where the loss of innocent life is treated as inescapable, where no calamity can be prevented or bad situation reformed.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
The simple solution is wearing regular ballet flats, whether they’re made from leather, satin, or something else.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Because many tax professionals and taxpayers are unaware of the nuances of section 679, the provision often acts as a trap for the unwary.—
Matthew L. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have given fraudsters a host of new tools to trick unwary individuals into dishonest schemes.—
Ranjita Iyer,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsuspecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsuspecting. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share