1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
those unknowing people who think that the world is a kindly place are in for a rude awakening
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unaware
not informed about or aware of something
the poor woman has been the unknowing target of some pretty vicious gossip
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of unknowing
Was this teacher an unknowing servant of the patriarchy, as Kara Cooney would argue, or a naïve propagandist of the oil industry, as Riggs herself comes to believe?
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Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2022
Obviously, Beth’s unknowing sterilization was a tragic event, a violation of bodily autonomy that nobody should go through.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2021
Their names and emails can then be used by bad actors to target them in various email schemes that can harm unknowing customers.
—Daniel Barber, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2021
Cybercriminals sent phishing emails to millions of users hoping an unknowing individual would open the malicious document.
—Jonathan Fischbein, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2021
See all Example Sentences for unknowing 
Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2022
Obviously, Beth’s unknowing sterilization was a tragic event, a violation of bodily autonomy that nobody should go through.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2021
Their names and emails can then be used by bad actors to target them in various email schemes that can harm unknowing customers.
—Daniel Barber, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2021
Cybercriminals sent phishing emails to millions of users hoping an unknowing individual would open the malicious document.
—Jonathan Fischbein, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2021
See all Example Sentences for unknowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowing
Adjective
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By my naive estimation, our home sat at least three blocks south of the street no wildfire could realistically cross in any event other than the biblical apocalypse.Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025
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Zelensky called it naive to say Putin wants to finish the war, and urged Trump to demonstrate strength in any talks with the Russian leader.Laura Kelly, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But Hayes was unaware of her athletic capabilities.Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
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When Zendaya slyly revealed her engagement to Tom Holland at the 2025 Golden Globes, Carol Han Pyle was unaware of the buzz at first.Michelle Lee, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Klan lawyers, however, falsely claimed the federal government was hunting and persecuting innocent men.Brittany Friedman / Made by History, TIME, 6 Jan. 2025
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Dunn was also once a deputy sheriff, and says in his personal and professional opinion, Edgar is innocent.Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who says she wasn't properly screened is either ignorant or has an agenda.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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Who would go out of their way to remain ignorant in the face of an informative lecture on bunker oil?Rachel Kushner, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Keep your indoor money tree healthy and lush with these simple pruning tips.Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Taken together with the bones, however—and with some help from modern technology—these earthen imprints give a holistic picture of the prehistoric creatures that sashayed along in their heyday, oblivious to the puny mammals of the future who would gawk at their footprints millions of years later.Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
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Unfortunately, by the end of Season 2, Gi-hun remains oblivious that the Front Man and Young-il are the same person.Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The small devices are installed over card readers to record unsuspecting customers’ credit card numbers and other personal information.Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
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In an unsuspecting move, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, will be adding a new board of directors member.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unknowing
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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