unawares

un·awares

adv \-ˈwerz\

Definition of UNAWARES

1

: without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation

2

: without warning : suddenly, unexpectedly

Examples of UNAWARES

1. <the thunderstorm caught us unawares, and we scrambled to get off the ridge as lightning started to flash>

Origin of UNAWARES

un- + aware + -s, adverb suffix, from Middle English, from -s, genitive singular ending of nouns — more at -s

First Known Use: 1530

Related to UNAWARES

Synonyms: aback, suddenly, unanticipatedly, unaware, unexpectedly, all of a sudden, off base

Related Words: abruptly, short; amazingly, astoundingly, surprisingly

Near Antonyms: laggardly, leisurely, pokily, slowly, sluggishly, tardily; obviously

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Rhymes with UNAWARES

kick upstairs