UNWITTINGLY Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

unwittingly

adverb

as in inadvertently

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 unwittingly Another reveals a family trait or behavior that was unwittingly passed from generation to generation. — Gary Barron, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 In John’s 2008 novel The Appeal, an ambitious young attorney is unwittingly recruited by some nefarious special interests to seek election to the state supreme court. — David Baldacci, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026 Throughout this story, the husband is unwittingly chasing a sense of relief. — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026 In the second film of the two-part blockbuster, Elphaba’s spell to save Prince Fiyero’s life unwittingly transforms him into a scarecrow. — Victoria Hoffmann, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2026 The picture unfolds against the backdrop of a family digital detox vacation in a house in a Swedish forest which takes a terrifying turn when a teenager discovers an old modem and unwittingly awakens a dormant, sadistic demon when it is fired up. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026 Their stings may be a problem for people and pets who unwittingly come in contact with them. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2026 She’s unwittingly caught between two different factions seeking to exploit her immense power—her new bestie, Emmaline, and Adelaide’s group—plus another group that seems intent on killing Carrie and others like her. — ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 By needlessly politicizing air traffic control, both parties unwittingly make the case for privatization. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwittingly

Adverb

But upon arrival, they inadvertently got mixed in with a busload of draftees arriving for their inductions.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026
Since intoxicating hemp was inadvertently legalized in the 2018 federal Farm Bill, smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations have sold it without restrictions.

— Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of inadvertently

Adverb

Written and directed by Sun Aoqian, the film stars Song Jia as a weary crematorium worker who accidentally mixes up two sets of funeral ashes.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Nov. 2026
But a space maneuver accidentally exposed one of its batteries to the sun, and the spacecraft lost power.

— Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of accidentally

Adverb

Andrews, the Senate’s first female physician and first pediatrician, credits her stance on gun control to her experience treating children who have unintentionally shot themselves after finding an unsecured firearm.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2026
Because segregation had historically excluded Black veterans from those areas, the practice could unintentionally perpetuate the very divisions that once determined where they were allowed to be buried.

— Sarah M. Boye, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of unintentionally

Adverb

If presented with something to grip, even unconsciously, many jaws will.

— Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Our brain makes these predictions both consciously and unconsciously, relying on past sensory and physical experience to run the odds.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of unconsciously

Adverb

And, fortuitously for would-be sponsors, something happened in tennis that made these arrangements even more appealing.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The earnings announcement was fortuitously timed, coming just as reports were surfacing of high-level OpenAI employees joining the company.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fortuitously

Adverb

But the proliferation of drones has created a challenge for authorities trying to distinguish routine flights from aircraft operating carelessly, illegally or with malicious intent.

— MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 2026
An outright ban on the use of the technology would remove a valuable tool only because some departments have used it carelessly.

— Edward Longe, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of carelessly

Browse Nearby Words

unwitting

unwittingly

unwomanly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unwittingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwittingly. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unwittingly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boilerplate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes