unwitting

adjective

un·​wit·​ting ˌən-ˈwi-tiŋ 

1

: not knowing : unaware

kept the truth from their unwitting friends

2

: not intended : inadvertent

an unwitting mistake

unwittingly

ˌən-ˈwi-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• accidental
• casual
• chance
• fluky
• flukey
• fortuitous
• inadvertent
• incidental
• unintended
• unintentional
• unplanned
• unpremeditated

Examples of unwitting in a Sentence

He kept the truth from his unwitting friends.

an unwitting victim of fraud

Recent Examples on the Web

The series also introduces Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), one of many Black soldiers used as (unwitting) test subjects of a new Super Soldier Serum during the Korean War. —Will Harris, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Finding cash within the continent could be an unwitting boon if President Donald Trump’s tariff threats against European allies come to a head. —Joseph Ataman, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025

For one, everyone will feel deeply betrayed by Helena, yet sympathetic to Helly R.’s unwitting abetting. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 7 Feb. 2025

Pan's parents and their unwitting companions were eventually placed under surveillance at a North Carolina hotel, where Marshals interviewed a clerk after the Pans checked out. —Anne-Marie Green, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unwitting

• acquitting
• admitting
• befitting
• committing
• emitting
• omitting
• outfitting
• outwitting
• permitting
• refitting
• remitting
• submitting

Kids Definition

unwitting

adjective

un·​wit·​ting ˌən-ˈwit-iŋ 

ˈən-

1

: not intended : inadvertent

an unwitting mistake

2

: not knowing : unaware

unwittingly adverb