unwary

American  

[uhn-wair-ee] / ʌnˈwɛər i /

adjective

unwarier, unwariest

1. not wary; not cautious or watchful, as against danger or misfortune.

   Synonyms:

   heedless, rash, indiscreet, incautious

   Antonyms:

   cautious, careful

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unwary British  

/ ʌnˈwɛərɪ /

adjective

1. lacking caution or prudence; not vigilant or careful

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Other Word Forms

• unwarily adverb
• unwariness noun

Etymology

Origin of unwary

First recorded in 1570–80; un- ¹ + wary

Example Sentences

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate includes a tart warning on the copyright page that the surname “is used by a number of publishers and may serve mainly to mislead an unwary buyer.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

But their testimony alone can’t expose the devil’s bargain of realpolitik, which seduces the unwary with the notion that making others suffer will benefit us.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2025

To put it another way, disinformation peddlers need only make a claim that sounds plausible or might even have a small kernel of truth to influence the unwary.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2024

The creepiest by far is “dead men’s fingers,” Decaisnea fargesii, whose pewter-blue, fingerlike fruits stand out against butter-yellow foliage and reach out to unwary visitors.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 17, 2023

Opaleye eggs are pale grey and may be mistaken for fossils by unwary Muggles.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling