unaware 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ə-ˈwer How to pronounce unaware (audio)
Definition of unawarenext
as in oblivious
not informed about or aware of something she was unaware of the change in travel plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unaware

2 of 2

adverb

as in suddenly
without warning the predawn attack took the airmen completely unaware

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 unaware
Adjective
Some users online reported not receiving an email about the outage and being unaware that their pet was not fed for hours. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026 Marshall refused to come out of the restroom stall, and investigators were unaware the man was armed. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026 Journalists, alongside some White House staffers, traveled on Air Force One and were reportedly unaware of the President no longer being onboard. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 Dallas police said the sergeant was unaware that his car and gear had been stolen. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unaware
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unaware
  1. oblivious
  2. suddenly
  3. ignorant
  4. unexpectedly
  5. unawares
Adjective
  • Lawmakers simply closed their ears to the critics and boldly pushed ahead, either oblivious or indifferent to the consequences to Maryland taxpayers.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But her run would not have been possible without the crew of everyday Americans who were completely oblivious to her techniques, lost the game badly, and then got mad at her for it.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of oblivious
Adverb
  • The reports about the Buss family’s stake comes a few days after Lakers owner Mark Walter suddenly agreed to sell the team to Kushner and Iger last week amid a federal fraud investigation, giving them a roughly 65% stake in the team.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The business was forced to close, leaving Stroh, her husband and their staff out of a job suddenly.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of suddenly
Adjective
  • Mamdani’s ignorant opinion illustrates Kissinger’s concern, relying on emotional display rather than the facts.
    — Daniel Kolkey, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Howard Bryant's comparison this week between Cunningham's comments and Colin Kaepernick's protests was both ignorant and desperate.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adverb
  • Before anyone could tap their heels on the floor and start the party, though, fire sprinklers went off unexpectedly in a nearby hotel room, forcing everyone to evacuate the building.
    — DeAsia Paige, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The spacecraft unexpectedly remained intact after splashdown in the Indian Ocean last month, prompting SpaceX officials to come up with an ad hoc plan to recover the vehicle.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of unexpectedly
Adverb
  • Frost that catches you unawares can be devastating—at least to certain plants.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Still, workers were caught unawares by the shutdown, Ball and Nava said.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of unawares

Browse Nearby Words

unawakened
unaware
unawareness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unaware.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unaware. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unaware

Nglish: Translation of unaware for Spanish Speakers

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