1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
e-mail scams that take advantage of unwary recipients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 unwary
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
These are unexplainable phenomena scattered throughout the game’s world that can kill an unwary player in an instant.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
The result is that fraudsters have rushed into cryptocurrency, exploiting the complexity and hype to dupe the unwary.
—Hilary Allen, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for unwary
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
These are unexplainable phenomena scattered throughout the game’s world that can kill an unwary player in an instant.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
The result is that fraudsters have rushed into cryptocurrency, exploiting the complexity and hype to dupe the unwary.
—Hilary Allen, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for unwary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwary
Adjective
-
Jane’s voice shifts from that of a naïve girl to that of a capable young woman as Laser traces her path out of the wilderness.—
AudioFile Magazine
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
His hesitation has been seen publicly as naïve and risky, eroding faith in the monarchy.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But Thomas has been lazy all year and lost a catch Sunday being careless with his feet on what should have been an easy completion on the sideline, unable to get a second foot down with a lot of room.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The subsequent uncertainty and introspection are exacerbated during a pre-festival press conference, which becomes a flashpoint when the cast and crew come under fire for an allegedly careless adaptation.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Common Pests & Plant Diseases Camellias are susceptible to several fungal diseases, the most serious of which are flower blight, root rot, and camellia dieback and canker.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
-
This is the key reason why older adults are more susceptible to cancer and severe illness.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As with all investigations leading to arrest, the subjects of the investigation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The new dating term 'Shrekking' sounds innocent.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Through this program, educators can report issues such as bullying or unsafe content directly from Instagram.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The athletes asked the state to amend regulations to keep biological males from joining girls’ teams or using female locker rooms, saying the lack of clear rules was unfair and unsafe.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Setup is as easy as plugging in the HDMI cable into your TV and the sound bar, thanks to HDMI ARC, and the slim profile allows this device to be wall-mounted or propped up on your TV stand.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
-
McConkey is an even easier case to make, now doing well himself in the NFL, and responsible for 119 catches, 1,687 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns over those three years.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Trey's Review Process Otey’s Tavern is tucked in an unsuspecting Birmingham strip mall.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Crooks tell the unsuspecting customer that the chip must be returned to the bank.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Wallen was originally booked on three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor for disorderly conduct.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The country star was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share