Unwary

Unwary describes someone or something that is not aware of potential danger or risks; lacking caution or vigilance. It implies a susceptibility to being deceived, tricked, or harmed due to a lack of foresight or carefulness. This state often arises from naiveté, innocence, or a lack of experience with a particular situation. An unwary individual might be easily misled, while an unwary animal could fall prey to predators. The term highlights a vulnerability born from a failure to anticipate negative consequences. It is the opposite of being cautious or alert.

Unwary meaning with examples

• The unwary hiker, distracted by the beautiful scenery, unknowingly wandered off the marked trail and soon found themselves lost. They had not prepared for the possibility of getting disoriented, and their inexperience made them more susceptible to danger in the wilderness. Their optimism and carelessness led to a difficult situation.
• The email scam targeted unwary internet users, preying on their trust and lack of skepticism to steal their personal information. The sophisticated schemes relied on emotional manipulation to bypass rational thinking, leading to financial loss and identity theft among those who clicked the fraudulent links.
• The unwary investors put all of their savings into a speculative stock without researching the company's financials, ultimately losing their investments when the market crashed. They were swayed by promises of quick profits and failed to assess the risks associated with such high volatility.
• The unwary child, trusting of strangers, accepted candy from a man they'd never met, highlighting the importance of teaching children about the dangers of interacting with unfamiliar people. This situation underscores the need for constant parental vigilance and safety education to prevent potential harm.
• Because the kingdom was unwary of external threats and relied too heavily on its army for domestic safety, it fell to a surprise invasion. The leadership's complacency and lack of strategic foresight left it vulnerable to attack, leading to a rapid defeat and significant territorial loss.