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
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
Nothing can stop unwary parents from relying on the judgment of Donald Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to make healthcare decisions for their infants and children.
—Michael Hiltzik, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Tom Cullinan, Forbes.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Nothing can stop unwary parents from relying on the judgment of Donald Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to make healthcare decisions for their infants and children.
—Michael Hiltzik, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Adjective
-
Not because older Americans are more naive.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
When it was first released in December 1980, it was seen as too weird for kids and too naive for adults, but it has since been reconsidered as a unique snapshot of intersecting talents — a strange, wonderful, one-of-a-kind movie.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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After an almost year-long investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office charged Pino with three misdemeanor counts of careless boating resulting in death.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
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Dahlin earned another interference penalty later, and Zucker’s roughing penalty was careless.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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But these jobs are also among the most susceptible to AI displacement.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
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Other recommendations from the NFL include a request for the CFTC to create a unique certification process for contracts that are related to an individual player's performance or susceptible to manipulation.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
These armed hostilities have maimed, mutilated and killed millions of human beings — many of them innocent civilians.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Becerra may have been an innocent victim, but $120,000 a year is a lot of money to pay someone to babysit a largely unused stack of cash.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Thus, young riders may attempt unsafe stunts or travel at unsafe speeds.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2026
-
City officials have stressed the random attack on the popular trail doesn’t mean the trail is unsafe.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The chef’s kitchen features custom cabinetry, two islands for easy prep, and Gaggenau cooktops with both gas and induction options, along with a teppanyaki griddle.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
18 May 2026
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Every airline has its own app, making digital boarding passes easy to pull up on a phone and scan at the gate.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
The issue wasn’t really whether one rock band had been fraudulently foisted on unsuspecting listeners.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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They are accused of using several ruses to force their way into people’s homes, assaulting unsuspecting residents and holding them hostage for their own money, and demanding access to their crypto accounts.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
He was charged with seven counts, including first-degree reckless endangering safety and two counts of eluding an officer.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
-
The spiral of menace is breathtaking as Gary continues to dig them in deeper with his misplaced confidence and reckless moves, and a bone-chilling warning left in the dead of night forces Irwin to bring Hester up to date.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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