unwary

/ˈʌnˌwɛri/

Someone who's unwary isn't careful — in fact, an unwary person might be a little bit reckless. When your unwary cousin travels to China, he might end up being overcharged for a rickshaw ride.

When you don't know the potential dangers or challenges that lie in front of you, you're unwary. While unwary people aren't overly suspicious or cautious, they run the risk of being taken advantage of or even getting hurt. To be wary is to be very watchful or cautious — it comes from the Old English root wær, "prudent, aware, or alert," and unwary combines it with un, or "not."

Definitions of unwary

1. adjective

   not alert to danger or deception
   “the shrieks of unwary animals taken by surprise”

   synonyms:

   gullible

   easily tricked because of being too trusting

   unguarded

   displaying or feeling no wariness

   antonyms:

   wary

   marked by keen caution and watchful prudence

   on guard, on one's guard, on your guard, upon one's guard

   vigilant

   shy

   wary and distrustful; disposed to avoid persons or things