witting
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
-
deliberate; intentional
a witting insult
-
aware; knowing
Other Word Forms
- wittingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of witting
First recorded in 1250–1300, witting is from the Middle English word witing. See wit 2, -ing 2, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An agent is a paid and witting spy; he formally, sometimes covertly, works for a foreign government.
From Slate • Sep. 4, 2025
“I can’t but think of partial replacements as immoral because they involve a witting decision by government agencies to leave residents at continued risk of exposure,” said Lambrinidou.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 8, 2023
The problem isn’t that confirmation hearings are too hard on the nominees, who are, after all, witting and willing participants.
From Washington Post • Mar. 29, 2022
A witting asset is a person or entity who knows that there is a foreign power working in their interest.
From Salon • May 22, 2019
In the meantime Sanders, little witting that Sam'l had trumped his trick, was sauntering along the kirk-wynd with his hat on the side of his head.
From Stories by English Authors: Scotland (Selected by Scribners) by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
