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
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When a naïve piglet named Lucky (Gaten Matarazzo) rises to farmhouse leadership alongside the cunning boar Napoleon (Seth Rogen), the revolution sparked by their human farmer’s bankruptcy in the film‘s first act takes a turn for the fascist worse.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
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Not the naive version attempted in 2016.—
Emin Gün Sirer,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Stewart’s successor, Mayor Bobby Sanchez, a Democrat, suspended Blogoslawski in February amid allegations of improprieties, including the careless handling of cash and the backdating of tax payments to avoid interest penalties.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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More likely the difference was in the turnover column – 15 for the Lakers, which led to 18 Houston points, including several errors that seemed careless and one sequence early in the fourth quarter at the offensive end in which the ball was flying all over the place.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Sabres could be susceptible to speed with the way their defensemen push it in the offensive zone.—
Stephen Conroy,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
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Leaves weakened by pests or disease would be susceptible to frost damage, but burgundy foliage is not affected by such stressors.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Abe told a judge at an April 27 proceeding that Allen has no prior arrests or convictions and is presumed innocent under the law.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Same goes for the three separate books that were pitched to me at the same time by the same publisher, all themed around why OJ Simpson is innocent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The upshot is not only that Jewish Britons feel unsafe.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
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His parents’ dysfunctional relationships made for an unsafe environment at home, so the decision was made to send him to the Caribbean nation to stay with relatives.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Opta’s power rankings would suggest Arsenal are the only team in the league with easier fixtures between now and the end.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Drastic measures become easier to justify, both legally and politically.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to the Marietta Police Department, Constantin would mess with the vehicle's milage before selling them to unsuspecting buyers.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Those parties clinging to the outdated and socially unacceptable business model that relies on selling puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers are no longer welcome in nine states and over 520 localities and some are looking for a new home.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Feeling restless and reckless, Michael (LJ Benet) is drawn to a hard-rocking local band that is secretly a quartet of young vampires that is literally sucking the life out of the community.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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The vast majority of drivers stop speeding after one or two camera violations, but a small and extremely reckless group of super speeders flagrantly endanger themselves and everyone around them.—
Mike Flynn,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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