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

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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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for unwitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwitting
  1. accidental
  2. unaware
  3. inadvertent
  4. oblivious
  5. ignorant
Adjective
  • The impact-absorbing cushioning is also a plus for my grandma, as is the rubber sole, which prevents accidental falls or slips.
    — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
  • An investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department remains ongoing, but KTLA previously reported that officials believe the crash was accidental.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • The point of the law, Brown said, is to give potentially unaware or financially vulnerable homeowners time to think, and perhaps time to consider other offers, or to investigate the true value of their homes.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
  • When white people get beaten up or injured, as gravely as by torture or as dramatically as in a car chase, the police appear to be unaware or indifferent, as do Black and white townspeople alike.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of unaware
Adjective
  • There was an inadvertent breach of the league’s rules in their opening game against Hull City, when the team wore the badge on only one sleeve.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Serialization itself is interesting—the inadvertent or almost incidental meaning that can come from putting one thing next to another thing.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of inadvertent
Adjective
  • The platforms at the center of this problem aren’t oblivious to it.
    — Nirav Tolia, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Related Stories An opening montage finds the historic metropolis full of people lost in their own individual worlds, digitally connected yet oblivious to the offscreen reality around them.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of oblivious
Adjective
  • The old worst dressed lists could be cruel, sexist, culturally ignorant, and spectacularly misguided.
    — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Mamdani’s ignorant opinion illustrates Kissinger’s concern, relying on emotional display rather than the facts.
    — Daniel Kolkey, Oc Register, 16 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 11 Sep. 2026.

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