unwittingly

Etymology

unwitting +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ʌnˈwɪtɪŋli/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌʌnˈwɪtɪŋli/, /ˌən-/, /-ɾɪŋ-/
• Hyphenation: un‧wit‧ting‧ly

Adverb

unwittingly (comparative more unwittingly, superlative most unwittingly)

1. In an unwitting manner; inadvertently, obliviously, unintentionally, unknowingly.

   Antonyms: advertently, consciously, deliberately, knowingly, intentionally, purposely

   She realized to her horror that she had unwittingly helped those people she most despised.

   • 1702, John Halle, A Modest Enquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft:

     And what grief of heart it brings to a tender conscience, to have been unwittingly encouraging of the Sufferings of the innocent.

   • 2017 September 27, David Browne, “Hugh Hefner, ‘Playboy’ Founder, Dead at 91: Legendary Magazine Editor Helped Spark the Sexual Revolution”, in Rolling Stone‎, archived from the original on 15 March 2018:

     In the fall of 2016, [Hugh] Hefner was the subject of rumors about his health. As per his wishes, he was to be buried in a crypt next to that of Marilyn Monroe, who'd unwittingly helped launch Playboy into the multi-million-dollar business it became.