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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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?
—
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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From there sprung Brian, played by Lou Taylor Pucci, an alien who looks like a new-age guru in a tracksuit, and, depending on the scene, can be naive, manipulative, aloof, romantic, cruel and even self-pitying.—
William Earl,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2025
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Things were exacerbated by naive decisions made by United players on both sides of the ball.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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New York lawyer Emil Bove, who was one of President Trump’s criminal defense attorneys and is now principal associate deputy attorney general, is handing out the orders, but Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump himself are not unaware of the terrible machinations.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
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That also describes the single-minded Clements, who averages eight points and six rebounds but was unaware of Lockett’s injury situation heading into Friday’s game.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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After a 16-month war that started with the horrific killing of 1,200 innocent Israelis and abduction of 250 more by Hamas terrorists and then the killing of more than 47,500 people in Gaza — mostly women and children — a fragile ceasefire began Jan. 19.—
Mike Quigley,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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One day, during an innocent prank call in a phone booth, Richard shockingly witnesses his classmate violently get sucked into the phone receiver and disappear without a trace.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Put simply, many Americans are woefully ignorant about the structure and features of their government.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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There’s obviously ignorant, racist people in Vermont as well, but the vibe in general is way more progressive.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Yellow is the simplest, and purple is the most difficult.—
New York Times Games,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
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Its simple style can be dressed up with your best evening wear or paired with casual outfits to be your next wardrobe staple.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Proponents of the Build Back Better agenda, in convincing themselves that the hot economy was transformative for workers, appeared oblivious to the genuine concerns of the electorate.—
Jason Furman,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Feb. 2025
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The Warriors’ front office isn’t oblivious to this notion.—
Anthony Slater,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With the clock ticking, Ray has one night to get his unsuspecting family out of the city before he gets snuffed out.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
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The production stole shots on the street amid the unsuspecting working-class pedestrians of Strasbourg–Saint-Denis, but Godard often used these images for absurd scenarios.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unknowing
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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