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 The ordeal pulled the unwitting Rowley into a battle between Russian and British intelligence agencies. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 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 Jones entered guilty pleas to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in schemes to defraud major sportsbooks, including DraftKings and FanDuel, and filch millions of dollars from unwitting poker players. — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 29 June 2026 They have been written to guide the unwitting discoverer through this minefield. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwitting
  1. accidental
  2. unaware
  3. inadvertent
  4. oblivious
  5. ignorant
Adjective
  • Some lawsuits have been filed by families of children and young adults who died by suicide after problematic use of social media, and families whose kids died from accidental overdoses from drug purchases facilitated by social platforms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Now the accidental entrepreneur, Elizabeth Stein, is making the biggest sale of her life.
    — Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • The growing gap between AI adoption and governance means many businesses are unaware of their rights, making unexplained denials a critical issue for capital access.
    — TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • First Street, a climate risk modeling company in New York City, discovered more than twice as many Americans live in dangerous flood-prone areas than FEMA's maps suggest, leaving many homeowners and even local officials unaware of the risk.
    — Laura Sullivan, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of unaware
Adjective
  • Officials blamed the inadvertent incursion on Russian electronic warfare.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • After the game, Clark said the contact was inadvertent and that no words were exchanged.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of inadvertent
Adjective
  • Brian recently broke another kid’s arm, only half by accident, while Audrey appears to be struggling with some unarticulated feelings for her oblivious bestie.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Legislators seem oblivious to the devastating effect of pension costs on local governments.
    — Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of oblivious
Adjective
  • Mamdani’s ignorant opinion illustrates Kissinger’s concern, relying on emotional display rather than the facts.
    — Daniel Kolkey, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Howard Bryant's comparison this week between Cunningham's comments and Colin Kaepernick's protests was both ignorant and desperate.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unwitting

Nglish: Translation of unwitting for Spanish Speakers

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