1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
e-mail scams that take advantage of unwary recipients
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in careless
not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble
a dangerous stretch of desert that has claimed many unwary travelers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in susceptible
readily taken advantage of
unwary consumers who unquestioningly swallow the dubious claims of TV pitchmen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unwary
That can create a trap for unwary taxpayers because the law requires taxpayers to sue for a refund within two years of the IRS disallowing it.
—
Tom Cullinan, Forbes.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Nothing can stop unwary parents from relying on the judgment of Donald Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to make healthcare decisions for their infants and children.
—Michael Hiltzik, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 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
That’s because the agency’s duty is to stand in the way of businesses desiring to push unsafe and ineffective nostrums at unwary consumers, and also in the way of a perverse idea that personal freedom includes the freedom to be gulled by charlatans.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwary
Tom Cullinan, Forbes.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Nothing can stop unwary parents from relying on the judgment of Donald Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to make healthcare decisions for their infants and children.
—Michael Hiltzik, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 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
That’s because the agency’s duty is to stand in the way of businesses desiring to push unsafe and ineffective nostrums at unwary consumers, and also in the way of a perverse idea that personal freedom includes the freedom to be gulled by charlatans.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwary
Adjective
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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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Rayshawn Cox, 32, was cited on suspicion of careless driving resulting in death and two counts of careless driving causing serious bodily injury, Wheat Ridge police spokesperson Alex Rose said.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
26 May 2026
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Notre Dame’s dominance has been highlighted by relentless fundamentals and limited errors, the perfect antidote to Syracuse’s free-flowing and occasionally careless approach.—
Tribune News Service,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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Yuzu is also susceptible to fungal diseases, such as root rot.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
7 June 2026
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But gorillas are thought to be very susceptible to Ebola -– by some estimates 98% of gorillas who get Ebola die from the virus and it's already reduced the global gorilla population by approximately one-third.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 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
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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
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Recent heavy rain has also shown weak spots in Atlanta's road infrastructure as major sections of the Atlanta Connector flooded during rush hour traffic, and even forced the Waymo driverless car service to suspend operations as road conditions became too unsafe.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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The food manager and food handler certificates had expired, some beans were stored at an unsafe temperature and the can opener was dirty.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Just a few blocks from the hotel, Broughton Street is an easy wander for browsing boutiques like the Posh Loft and Paris Market, followed by a coffee at the Coffee Fox.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
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Mammals are weirdly easy to get right.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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He was convicted on June 5 of first-degree murder, manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, theft of a motor vehicle and other counts, according to a statement from the Delaware Department of Justice.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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But an adventure conjoined with a lover, whether breaking studio rules with Tony Curtis or tracking down John Dillinger in the person of Lawrence Tierney, never failed to activate a reckless tingle in me.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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