oblivious

adjective

ə-ˈbli-vē-əs How to pronounce oblivious (audio)
Definition of obliviousnext
as in unaware
not informed about or aware of something the out-of-state motorist claimed to be oblivious of the local speed limit, even though the signs must have been hard to miss

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 oblivious Her face crumples amid strained phone calls with A’s oblivious mother, while her eyes blaze like a four-alarm fire during a crushing panic attack brought on by a pushy date. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026 And a surprising number of people, for good or bad, are totally oblivious to their own motivations. — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026 All the while, Daddy Walsh remains oblivious to the drama unfolding around him and is focused on landing a part in the local amateur dramatic musical. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026 The greatest trailblazers of all are oblivious to any slings and arrows. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oblivious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblivious
  1. unaware
  2. ignorant
Adjective
  • On February 14, 2024, the air force struck a tunnel in that neighborhood, targeting two senior Hamas commanders, unaware of six hostages inside.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Blissfully unaware of the industry’s collective eye baggage and only concerned about her own (non-existent) dark circles is Saoirse Ronan, who Eurostar-ed her way to Paris just for the Louis Vuitton show.
    — Alice Newbold, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of unaware
Adjective
  • Some people in the White House treated Jackie as a cipher, ignorant of almost everything happening.
    — Laurence Leamer, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And in a world increasingly populated by people who are absolutely certain that everyone who disagrees with them is either ignorant or immoral, our universities could use considerably more of all three.
    — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of ignorant

Browse Nearby Words

oblivion
oblivious
obliviousness
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Cite this Entry

“Oblivious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblivious. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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