1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
e-mail scams that take advantage of unwary recipients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in careless
not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble
a dangerous stretch of desert that has claimed many unwary travelers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in susceptible
readily taken advantage of
unwary consumers who unquestioningly swallow the dubious claims of TV pitchmen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 unwary
The result is a dizzying mix of subtle feints, playful conjectures, and strategic silences, far less revolutionary than promised, yet strewn with snares for inexpert and unwary readers.
—
Walter Scheidel, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2022
Long-standing prohibitions on usury—charging outrageous interest rates to take advantage of the unwary—were stripped away.
—Joseph E. Stiglitz, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2020
That’s because the agency’s duty is to stand in the way of anyone desiring to push unsafe and ineffective drugs and devices at unwary consumers for profit, and also to stand in the way of a perverse idea that personal freedom includes the freedom to be gulled by charlatans.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Despite signage and barricades intended to direct pedestrians and bicycles away from the closed canal bank, some unwary types continue along the restricted area.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unwary 
Walter Scheidel, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2022
Long-standing prohibitions on usury—charging outrageous interest rates to take advantage of the unwary—were stripped away.
—Joseph E. Stiglitz, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2020
That’s because the agency’s duty is to stand in the way of anyone desiring to push unsafe and ineffective drugs and devices at unwary consumers for profit, and also to stand in the way of a perverse idea that personal freedom includes the freedom to be gulled by charlatans.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Despite signage and barricades intended to direct pedestrians and bicycles away from the closed canal bank, some unwary types continue along the restricted area.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unwary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwary
Adjective
-
Dimon went on to say that the United States needed to avoid being naive and allowing larger global events to play out without any intervention.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
-
In a bloody good mix of horror comedy and murder mystery, Sam Richardson plays a naive but good-hearted forest ranger new to a small Vermont town out to catch a killer (who may or may not be a werewolf) among the various kooky residents. 55.Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
The female driver, whose name has not been released, was charged with careless driving causing injury, according to WPBF and WFOR-TV.Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
-
If companies are careless, AI will replicate the same biases as human decision-making.Dr. Vic Baker, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Notably, losing an hour of daylight can take a toll on people who are susceptible to seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that peaks during the darker winter months.Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
-
Camellias are also susceptible to a number of diseases, the most serious of which are flower blight, root rot, and camellia dieback and canker.Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
The message was clear: Even if your group is defined by targeting innocent people, the Biden-Harris White House will bestow the same legitimacy upon you as any nation-state by granting you a seat at the negotiating table.Pat Fallon, National Review, 3 Nov. 2024
-
Investigators believe the two men who were injured were innocent bystanders, police said.Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Nuclear warheads are especially unsafe when they are located at Russia’s rail transfer points.William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
-
That means there can be unsafe products on the market from irresponsible manufacturers.Merve Ceylan, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
But because pressured waterfowl aren’t easy to fool, hunters have been trying to perfect the art of decoy deception to swing the odds in their favor.Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
-
To make this easier, appointments are not required.Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
In the play, four closers compete to sell worthless properties to unsuspecting customers.Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2024
-
Now, the brand is opening its first dining concept in the UK—at an unsuspecting location.Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Besides murder, the jury also found Coy guilty of felonious assault and reckless homicide.Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
-
Coy, who was removed from his position in the Columbus Police Department shortly after the incident, faced charges of murder, reckless homicide and other offenses in which he was found guilty on Monday.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near unwary
Cite this Entry
“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share