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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unknowing
As such, when Mia brings an innocent, unknowing stranger back to her apartment and begins to torture him, Dexter— witnessing the events unfold from across the street — calls authorities and Mia is arrested.
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The Mangusta has none, and traveling over tar strips and on certain road surfaces is enough to prompt unknowing passengers to inquire with some urgency as to the source of all that noise.
—Car and Driver, 13 Jan. 2023
Now axe-wielding and neck-snapping murderers, the duo have launched into a flesh-seeking rampage, honey-bent on killing not just their former human friend but descending on four unknowing college students staying at home in the woods.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022
Pity the unknowing curiste who confuses a resident of the city, a Vichyssois, with a supporter of Pétain’s government, a vichyste.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The Mangusta has none, and traveling over tar strips and on certain road surfaces is enough to prompt unknowing passengers to inquire with some urgency as to the source of all that noise.
—Car and Driver, 13 Jan. 2023
Now axe-wielding and neck-snapping murderers, the duo have launched into a flesh-seeking rampage, honey-bent on killing not just their former human friend but descending on four unknowing college students staying at home in the woods.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022
Pity the unknowing curiste who confuses a resident of the city, a Vichyssois, with a supporter of Pétain’s government, a vichyste.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for unknowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unknowing
Adjective
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In Wuthering Heights, Oliver played Isabella Linton, an initially naïve woman infatuated with ideas of romance whose are opened to the reality around her.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
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The opera is about Don José, a naive young man who leaves his small town to join the Spanish army.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Yet up to 60% of people with thyroid disease remain unaware of their condition because fatigue, mood changes, and weight shifts get attributed to stress or aging before testing is even considered.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
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A day later, people out playing with their kids at Two Trails Park Friday morning were unaware that a man had just been arrested and charged with an attempted murder, after allegedly attacking a woman there with a knife.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Chicagoans are ducking for cover as delivery robots turn into heat-seeking missiles for innocent glass structures.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
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Deputies said the deadly shooting appeared to be gang-related, but believe Randolph was an innocent victim.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Across Southern California, e-bike popularity has soared, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic — with a disportionate number of young riders ignorant or ignoring the rules of the road, authorities say, leading to crashes and in some cases fatalities.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
20 Mar. 2026
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Having access to knowledge and being able to collectively reflect are rights too precious to surrender to those who prefer us ignorant.—
Megan Thiele Strong,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And unlike some some prank shows, its intentions are good, its attitude humane — the entire purpose of the show is to bring out the best in its unsuspecting star, not to humiliate him.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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The film centers on a celebrated Filipino chef who secretly kills supernatural creatures and serves them to his unsuspecting clientele — until those creatures return for revenge.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The show, which runs through March 28, has a blistering message to impart about the insidious nature of authoritarian political movements and the dangers of being oblivious or indifferent.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
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Reinhart’s Apple is a deliciously deadly mystery wrapped in sequins and pure unadulterated attitude, as Tung’s Pumpkin subtly manipulates the group to get to the bottom of a past incident that weighs on her personally, despite her new friends being oblivious to her true identity.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In Catanzaro Lido, a beach town along the Ionian coast, meals tend to be simple and communal.—
Jenna Curcio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
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In her first interview since becoming head of content at Disney+ EMEA, Angela Jain has said the message to writers and producers is simple, the streamer is going to greenlight more originals from the region and will be backing that effort with extra funds for local fare.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Don José is an inexperienced Spanish soldier who falls in love with the seductive Gypsy, Carmen.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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Dangerous rip currents are expected at regional beaches, prompting officials to warn against swimming, especially for inexperienced swimmers.—
Joaquin Palomino,
San Francisco Chronicle,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unknowing. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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