1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
e-mail scams that take advantage of unwary recipients
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unwary
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
These are unexplainable phenomena scattered throughout the game’s world that can kill an unwary player in an instant.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
The result is that fraudsters have rushed into cryptocurrency, exploiting the complexity and hype to dupe the unwary.
—Hilary Allen, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for unwary
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
These are unexplainable phenomena scattered throughout the game’s world that can kill an unwary player in an instant.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
The result is that fraudsters have rushed into cryptocurrency, exploiting the complexity and hype to dupe the unwary.
—Hilary Allen, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for unwary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwary
Adjective
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The Guerida line nodding to private estate La Querida and its white façades, emerald green lawns and ocean views offered a more naïve take on the colored theme by mean of hearts and floral motifs juxtaposed in a ring, bracelet and pendant earrings.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
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Even when their views are naive or ill-considered, protesters are among the minority of people willing to take risks and devote time and energy to the pursuit of a better world.—
Christopher L. Eisgruber,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In March 2024, Karen was arrested and charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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Nigeria deserves solidarity in its fight against terror — not careless rhetoric that fuels misunderstanding.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These missions are susceptible to cuts when politicians look to reduce spending.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
15 Oct. 2025
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Dogs with thick, double-layered coats tend to be more resistant to cold, while dogs with thin coats are more susceptible to cold, according to PetMD.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Legendary Italian auteur Marco Bellocchio (The Traitor, Kidnapped) directed and co-wrote the six-episode series, which tells the story of the downfall and imprisonment of popular TV host Enzo Tortora, an innocent man.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Oct. 2025
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Ryan Clark, Pat McAfee and Scott Van Pelt gave strong reactions to the evidence that attempted to prove Kyren Lacy innocent of allegedly causing a fatal wreck last year.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The North Carolina Department of Transportation said on X Sunday afternoon North Carolina Highway 12, the highway that serves the Outer Banks, is closed from the Marc Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe due to unsafe driving conditions brought on by ocean overwash.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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Globally, for children 5 to 14, iron deficiency was the leading risk, followed by others related to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene and malnutrition.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Old-school phishing emails were easy to spot because of typos and bad grammar.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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While allowed, breaking away from it would not be easy for Pennsylvania—or any other state which is currently served by it.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The same trigger the player would use to shoot a gun is used to throw Poké Balls at unsuspecting monsters, and there’s never been a mechanic in a Pokémon game that feels as immersive.—
Ryan Gaur,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
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The center snapped the ball to an unsuspecting Kaliakmanis.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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A day after the state Legislature approved a bill intended to help Milwaukee crack down on reckless drivers, local officials met at the city's towing lot to send a message.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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Trump’s reckless tariffs are needlessly spiking inflation and driving up prices on everything from groceries to housing to utilities.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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