unwary
Lacking proper caution
Unwary means not cautious or alert to potential danger or deception.
An unwary traveler might fall for a common scam; an unwary investor might miss warning signs.
The word often appears in contexts where someone's lack of vigilance makes them vulnerable: The scheme targeted unwary consumers.
Compare wary.
Inattentive, prone to mistakes
- heedlessCareless of consequences
- inattentiveNot paying attention
- obliviousLacking any awareness
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
negligent · incautious · unguarded · reckless · thoughtless · unmindful · unalert · napping
One harmed by another
- preyAnimal being hunted
- targetObject of pursuit
- trapDevice for catching animals
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
scam · predator · deceived · vulnerable · exposed · susceptible · duped · ensnared
Intentional criminal trickery
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- bait-and-switchFraudulent substitution tactic
- scammerOne who defrauds others
clickbait · spam · counterfeit · telemarketer · hacker · malware · overcharged · buyer
careless
Inattentive, prone to mistakes
- heedlessCareless of consequences
- inattentiveNot paying attention
- obliviousLacking any awareness
unsuspecting · negligent · incautious · unguarded · reckless · thoughtless · unmindful · unalert · napping · off-guard
victim
One harmed by another
ambush · scam · predator · deceived · vulnerable · exposed · susceptible · duped · ensnared · lured
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- bait-and-switchFraudulent substitution tactic
scammer · clickbait · spam · counterfeit · telemarketer · hacker · malware · overcharged · buyer · shopper
unwarystreetwise
Shrewd from urban experience
worldly-wise · street-smart · sophisticated · experienced · worldly