unwitting

adjective

ˌən-ˈwi-tiŋ How to pronounce unwitting (audio)
Definition of unwittingnext
1
as in accidental
happening by chance an unwitting mistake made in copying the material

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unaware
not informed about or aware of something an unwitting accomplice to the crime

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 unwitting And then there is Kerkering, an unwitting symbol for all of this. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 One focuses on Ted as a teenage prodigy attending Harvard in the 1950s who becomes the unwitting victim of abusive experiments by his psychology professor, Henry Murray (Russell Crowe). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Most recently, the meme-stock mania during the Covid-19 pandemic led many unwitting investors to make rash financial decisions. — David Capablanca, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Barrett said there is no dispute that MKUltra existed or that unwitting Americans were subjected to drug experiments. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwitting
  1. accidental
  2. unaware
  3. inadvertent
  4. oblivious
  5. ignorant
Adjective
  • The distraction and the absence of warning signals also led to the boy’s accidental death.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Her reference to that particular city doesn’t seem accidental.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • While calling a Reds game on Cincinnati television in 2020, Brennaman used an anti-gay slur just as a commercial break ended, unaware his microphone was live.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
  • One worker told fire investigators Pearce had been working on the panels, but Lineage was unaware whether the solar panels were already feeding power to the grid.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of unaware
Adjective
  • The referees called a play dead over an inadvertent whistle that set up another third-down play.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Despite the shortstop’s inadvertent trespassing into Bush’s headspace, the president sidestepped the ceremonial mark at the front of the mound and toed the rubber like a pro.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of inadvertent
Adjective
  • The $125 million production stars a nearly unrecognizable Cruise playing an oblivious oil tycoon whose drilling in Greenland dislodges an ice shelf from a glacier that’s going to cause a global disaster.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In the book, MacLachlan recalls being utterly dumbfounded at having been asked to do something so oblivious at best and cruel at worst.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of oblivious
Adjective
  • Also, the incorrect assumption among those who either are ignorant of the real economic realities or just don’t care and just want to pander to their own districts.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The old worst dressed lists could be cruel, sexist, culturally ignorant, and spectacularly misguided.
    — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignorant

Browse Nearby Words

unwisely
unwitting
unwittingly
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Cite this Entry

“Unwitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwitting. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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