unsuspecting
/ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌʌnsəspˈɛktɪŋ] /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌʌnsəspˈɛktɪŋ] /ˌən-sə-ˈspek-tiŋ How to pronounce unsuspecting (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unsuspecting — adjective
- unsuspectingpositive
- more unsuspectingcomparative
- most unsuspectingsuperlative
1. not aware that something bad, harmful, or unwanted is about to happen, usually b
not aware that something bad, harmful, or unwanted is about to happen, usually because you trust the situation or people around you
The unsuspecting tourists paid nearly double the normal price for their ferry tickets.
attributive use: unsuspecting + noun describing a vulnerable person
A pickpocket stole the wallet of an unsuspecting woman while she was boarding the bus.
Online scammers often target unsuspecting homeowners by pretending to be from the bank.
The thief walked right past the guard, who remained unsuspecting until it was too late.
Darius sent a fake website link, and unsuspecting users entered their passwords.
- trusting
broader and more positive in tone; does not necessarily imply danger — a trusting person simply expects good from others
- naive
suggests inexperience and lack of judgement, often with a mildly critical tone
- unwary
more formal and literary; specifically describes a failure to stay alert to threats
- unsuspicious
less common; focuses narrowly on the absence of suspicion rather than vulnerability
- suspicious
aware that something may be wrong and therefore cautious
- wary
alert and cautious about potential danger or trickery
文法句型
unsuspecting + noun (attributive)
be/remain + unsuspecting (predicative)
用法筆記
Most often used before a noun (attributive position) to describe people who are vulnerable because they trust a situation — common nouns include victim, customer, tourist, homeowner, shopper, and the public.