UNSUSPECTING Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

unsuspecting

adjective

ˌən-sə-ˈspek-tiŋ

Definition of unsuspecting

as in naive

lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment sidewalk vendors selling bogus gems to unsuspecting tourists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 unsuspecting In those early auditions, an unsuspecting superpower came from Kendrick’s radical modesty. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026 One burns the only copy of her sister’s precious handwritten manuscript; at least two others set houses on fire, one while her unsuspecting parents are still asleep inside. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026 Considering the company’s offensive, race-swapping AI ads are being pushed on unsuspecting users on social media, that promise feels mightily disingenuous. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026 The unsuspecting targets who showed up instead found Hansen and a camera crew, who barged into the room on Hansen’s cue. — Daniel Lachance, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsuspecting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuspecting

Adjective

Rebecca and Verity, which stars Johnson, are also about a new, naïve lover entering the home of a bad man with a wife hidden in his house of horrors.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
Their 16-year-old had gone from being a naive gamer to converting to an extreme vision of Islam in a matter of months – and began judging the world through that dark prism.

— Jeff Winter, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of naive

Adjective

Since then, Verity had been faking her vegetative state in order to … that part doesn’t entirely make sense, but the point is Lowen and Jeremy killed an innocent woman.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
The suspects are innocent unless proven guilty by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of innocent

Adjective

His lyrics, his hooks, his unmistakable voice, his optimism, his belief in the power of a simple song to make people feel good.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Some people want to change the world, and others want to operate in simple harmony with it and savor life.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of simple

Adjective

Toronto traffic was relentless, the streets jammed, and cyclists zipping among the halting cars posed a hazard to unwary pedestrians.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
Flatheads aren’t built for extended chases like their streamlined cousins, preferring instead to dart out from hiding and devour unwary prey.

— Keith Sutton, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026

Definition of unwary

Browse Nearby Words

unsuspected

unsuspecting

unsuspicious

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unsuspecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsuspecting. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unsuspecting

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes