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

And easy money can backfire on the unwary.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

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

Untethered to any fundamental values, these markets would be exceptionally easy to manipulate and hard to police, further endangering unwary investors.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 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

Its preferred terrain is damp and marshy, and it is often found near riverbanks, where it will amuse itself by pushing and tripping the unwary.

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