as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
sidewalk vendors selling bogus gems to unsuspecting tourists
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Recent Examples of unsuspecting
The moms were typically hired to stake out the suspect in question, tailing them for hours at a time in an unsuspecting minivan in hopes of capturing any indiscretions on camera.
—
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 23 July 2025
The skimmers themselves — often tiny, discreet devices — can be installed in seconds on unsuspecting point-of-sale terminals, typically in high-traffic areas where the volume of transactions offers the highest yield.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
But to unsuspecting humans, killer bees seem aggressive, spiteful and, of course, terrifying.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 24 June 2025
The Jumbotron is a routine bit at Coldplay shows, with the camera scanning the crowd and landing on unsuspecting show attendees.
—EW.com, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsuspecting
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 23 July 2025
The skimmers themselves — often tiny, discreet devices — can be installed in seconds on unsuspecting point-of-sale terminals, typically in high-traffic areas where the volume of transactions offers the highest yield.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
But to unsuspecting humans, killer bees seem aggressive, spiteful and, of course, terrifying.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 24 June 2025
The Jumbotron is a routine bit at Coldplay shows, with the camera scanning the crowd and landing on unsuspecting show attendees.
—EW.com, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsuspecting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuspecting
Adjective
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Even Portugal, who have been naive defensively but have considerable pace in attack, could threaten in transition, and Italy will need to shore up that element of their game to avoid being caught out.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
-
So, the whole thing just seems naive from people who’ve been oppressed by this murderous regime for 46 years.—
Fiction Non Fiction
July 3,
Literary Hub,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian head scarf, at an event celebrating Arab Heritage Month was inflammatory of Johnson in the political environment following the massacre of innocent Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 July 2025
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Attorneys have also raised concerns about the increase in arrests of people with pending charges, who are presumed innocent, and disrupting their ability to mount a defense.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
This involves flexible decision making beyond simple automation.—
Ian Gotts,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Because many tax professionals and taxpayers are unaware of the nuances of section 679, the provision often acts as a trap for the unwary.—
Matthew L. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Unsuspecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsuspecting. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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