1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
e-mail scams that take advantage of unwary recipients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unwary
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
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
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
-
Russia is a tyranny, which makes some of us feel naive.—
-
Some biologists believe that as much as 25 percent of the diet of some coyote packs in LA in the naive 1980s was human food.—
Adjective
-
The driver of the truck was cited for careless driving; the vehicle was not equipped with chains, but chains were not required under state law in Friday morning’s conditions, according to Colorado State Patrol.—
-
Drug, alcohol, careless living.—
Adjective
-
The human brain is highly susceptible to often unproductive mind-wandering, and modern technology has only made the problem worse.—
-
Common Pests and Diseases Like all plants, hoyas can be susceptible to pests and diseases.—
Adjective
-
Demonstrators argued that taxpayer money should not be used to harm or kill innocent people and rejected claims that the killing of Good was an act of self-defense.—
-
Multiple innocent lives lost due to violence.—
Adjective
-
Single-Food Diets Diets that rely on a single food or drink, such as the cabbage soup diet, grapefruit diet, or Master Cleanse drink diet, as well as diets that rely on a single food group, like the fruitarian diet, are unsafe and lack key nutrients your body needs to function.—
-
Since the video was posted, Hasan, who is Somali, said his center has received harassing phone calls making staff members and parents feel unsafe.—
Adjective
-
In October 2023, Jemma DeCristo tweeted on social media there’s easy access to Zionist journalists who spread propaganda and misinformation.—
-
HotHands Hand Warmers are a convenient and easy way to stay warm and provide a boost of heat without taking extra layers.—
Adjective
-
In December, Fullerton police surprised unsuspecting drivers by handing out gift cards instead of citations during some traffic stops.—
-
For as many times as a restaurant can be unsurprising, there are the gems that can turn an everyday ingredient or an unsuspecting meal into something unforgettable.—
Adjective
-
His reckless decision to escalate the aggression and number of immigration agents is a causal factor, regardless of the outcome of an investigation into this tragic death.—
-
Cowards habitually flee what is painful, while someone who acts bravely because of excessive confidence is simply reckless.—
Cite this Entry
“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share