Unsuspecting Meaning
/ˌʌnsəˈspɛktɪŋ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjNot suspecting; without any suspicion.
Sentence Examples
Predators always prey on unsuspecting victims.
The cat sneaked up on the unsuspecting bird.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The tourist was completely ____, so the thief easily stole his wallet.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The thief managed to steal the woman's bag from the seat while she was distracted and completely ____ today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English suspecting English unsuspecting From un- + suspecting.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"One by one grotesque forms emerged from the jungle to creep stealthily upon the unsuspecting woman."
— 1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 193:
"Before long, the unsuspecting salesman was earnestly pitching him "the quietest noisemaker on the market.""
— 1999 April 5, William Safire, “Essay; The Quiet Noisemaker”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 14 Sep 2017:
"To unsuspecting eyes these mongoose relatives can seem eminently pettable."
— 2008 June 20, Edward Rothstein, “Critters of a Wondrous Isle, Meet Your Friend and Foe”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 04 Jan 2022:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The tourist was completely ____, so the thief easily stole his wallet.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The thief managed to steal the woman's bag from the seat while she was distracted and completely ____ today.