unknowing

1 of 2

adjective

un·​know·​ing ˌən-ˈnō-iŋ How to pronounce unknowing (audio)
Synonyms of unknowingnext
: not knowing
became an unknowing accomplice to the crime
unknowingly adverb

unknowing

2 of 2

noun

Examples of unknowing in a Sentence

Adjective those unknowing people who think that the world is a kindly place are in for a rude awakening the poor woman has been the unknowing target of some pretty vicious gossip
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
That changed in April 2023 when unknowing construction workers unceremoniously removed a disintegrating Pinky from its eyrie. Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Years earlier, at the time of the stage production, someone captured the two of them fresh faced, standing next to each other, an unknowing sign of what was to come. Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Noun
The new season takes place at the fictional Oak Canyon Ranch Retreat, providing more areas for the cast — and thus more places for their unknowing star to roam. Justin Ray, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026 The suspects' attorneys claimed that level of certainty can be misleading—especially to an unknowing jury. Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unknowing

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unknowing was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unknowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unknowing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

unknowing

adjective
un·​know·​ing
ˌən-ˈnō-iŋ
: not knowing
unknowingly adverb

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