unwary

adjective

ˌən-ˈwer-ē How to pronounce unwary (audio)
Definition of unwarynext
1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment e-mail scams that take advantage of unwary recipients

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unwary Some legal experts said the outcome could lead unwary retirement investors to receive investment advice that's not in their best interest, and cause confusion about the legal obligations that brokers, insurance agents and other financial intermediaries owe to retail investors. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026 That can create a trap for unwary taxpayers because the law requires taxpayers to sue for a refund within two years of the IRS disallowing it. — Tom Cullinan, Forbes.com, 20 Feb. 2026 Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have given fraudsters a host of new tools to trick unwary individuals into dishonest schemes. — Ranjita Iyer, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 That’s because the agency’s duty is to stand in the way of businesses desiring to push unsafe and ineffective nostrums at unwary consumers, and also in the way of a perverse idea that personal freedom includes the freedom to be gulled by charlatans. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unwary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwary
  1. naive
  2. careless
  3. susceptible
  4. innocent
  5. unsafe
  6. easy
  7. unsuspecting
  8. reckless
Adjective
  • Only the most naïve of lawmakers believe there won’t be consequences to taxpayers that will lead to their constituents paying more taxes.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Unauthorized sequels reveal the extremes of why people make movies in the first place, from purely cynical money grabs to pure — even naive — devotion to characters and their world.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of naive
Adjective
  • His belief is not that relationships should become less professional or emotionally careless.
    — K.H. Koehler, Freep.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Two other teens were cited for careless driving and performing risky stunts in a retail parking lot.
    — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of careless
Adjective
  • Their protection schemes might expect edge rushers, but both Van Ginkel and Turner could drift backward, making the interior more susceptible.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Therapists, being human, are susceptible to biases and errors during demanding sessions, which can occur before, during, or after client interactions.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • Other officers helped the innocent driver walk to a nearby gas station.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
    — ByTony Atkins, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • The North Lawn tenants had been involved in a yearslong dispute with multiple landlords over unsafe living conditions.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Well-loved and used items that are broken, damaged beyond repair, unsafe, or heavily stained or soiled should be thrown out.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsafe
Adjective
  • Robert Pattinson is back in Gotham City, and donning the batsuit isn’t as easy as his first go-round.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Casually sporting leggings as a pair of pants can identify you as an easy target for thieves.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of easy
Adjective
  • Simply hide the ninja figures and wait for your unsuspecting victim to walk by when out of nowhere, the motion activation lets loose a very impolite noise sure to have your kids rolling.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Her content is mainly focused on chatting up unsuspecting males in public, whose reactions are secretly filmed.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsuspecting
Adjective
  • Pearson faces charges of second-degree death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation, operating without a safety certificate and failure to keep a proper lookout.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The other two teens were charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless

Browse Nearby Words

unwarranted
unwary
unwashed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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