unwitting

adjective

un·​wit·​ting ˌən-ˈwi-tiŋ How to pronounce unwitting (audio)
Synonyms of unwitting
1
: not knowing : unaware
kept the truth from their unwitting friends
2
: not intended : inadvertent
an unwitting mistake
unwittingly
ˌən-ˈwi-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce unwitting (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of unwitting

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Examples of unwitting in a Sentence

He kept the truth from his unwitting friends. an unwitting victim of fraud
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Britain says some of them have ended ​up acting as unwitting proxies for foreign states such as Iran or Russia. — CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors have contended that Sanon was more than an unwitting political hopeful. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026 Then there is the painful irony of Spencer’s unwitting role in one of the most consequential episodes of Diana’s life. — Ashley Baker, Air Mail, 3 Oct. 2026 The Housewife is certainly at its most potent during those earlier sequences, when Sheridan’s Lelyveld is under the mistaken impression that Hermine Ryan is the unwitting victim rather than the unrepentant perpetrator. — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwitting

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unwitting was before the 12th century

Rhymes for unwitting

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Browse Nearby Words

unwitnessed
unwitting
unwittingness
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Cite this Entry

“Unwitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwitting. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unwitting

adjective
un·​wit·​ting ˌən-ˈwit-iŋ How to pronounce unwitting (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not intended : inadvertent
an unwitting mistake
2
: not knowing : unaware
unwittingly adverb
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