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Definition of unwittingly

unwittingly

/ʌnˈwɪtɪŋli/
un · wit · ting · ly
Adjective:unwitting
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unwittingly Lexical Profile

unwittingly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

Without being aware of what one is doing or the full facts of a situation; unintentionally or inadvertently.

Example

"The tourists unwittingly violated local customs by entering the historic temple without removing their shoes."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for unwittingly

Word Nuance & Usage

'Unwittingly' specifically means without knowledge or awareness of the facts or consequences of one's actions, whereas 'unwillingly' means reluctantly or against one's will.

• Rhymes for unwittingly

• Nearby Words

unwished
unwitnessed
unwitting
unwittingly
unwon
unworkable
unworkably

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'unwitendlice', formed from the negative prefix 'un-' and 'witan' (to know, be aware of), which is also the root of the noun 'wit'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unwittingly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unwittingly
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