witting
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
-
deliberate; intentional
a witting insult
-
aware; knowing
Other Word Forms
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
“We expect financial institutions will undertake every effort to ensure that they are not witting or unwitting facilitators of circumvention and evasion,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement announcing the order.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 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
Now what will ye do? said the damosel Savage; meseemeth that it were well done that Arthur had witting of you both, for your horses are so bruised that they may not bear.
From Le Mort d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Malory, Thomas, Sir
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.
