unprepared

adjective

un·​pre·​pared ˌən-pri-ˈperd How to pronounce unprepared (audio)
: not prepared
was unprepared for class
… they were woefully unprepared to take on the responsibilities expected of them.Richard M. Ketchum
unpreparedness
ˌən-pri-ˈper-əd-nəs How to pronounce unprepared (audio)
 also  -ˈperd-nəs
noun

Examples of unprepared in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Reports from the World Economic Forum and the OECD are starting to reveal just how unconsciously ageist and unprepared the business world is for this ageing workforce. Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 But Gotto said she – and her father, Dave, – were unprepared for all that came with tying up everything from funeral arrangements to his financial affairs. USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024 Bosses, however, are woefully unprepared for the kind of conversations that employees want to have. Trey Williams, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2024 These hearings revealed that tech companies were even more unprepared to handle foreign influence campaigns than previously understood. Nina Jankowicz, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2024 His players said his attention to detail never left them unprepared. Belichick has been a master of the NFL rule book, unearthing loopholes in clock operations and offensive line formations that — though entirely legal — cemented his reputation as a mad genius. Kyle Hightower, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024 Opponents of that change worry the option leaves those students unprepared for managing their personal and family finances. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2024 Society may be woefully unprepared to deal with the resulting inevitable wave of digital fraud and the looming implication that any media item could be fraudulent. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 26 Jan. 2024 Here’s What Experts Want All Move-Up Buyers to Know Along with the 6 to 8% interest rates that don’t appear to be dropping to the 2020 low anytime soon, many homebuyers are both unprepared for and unrealistic about their budgets and home prices: The average buyer wants to spend $274,800. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unprepared.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unprepared was in 1528

Dictionary Entries Near unprepared

Cite this Entry

“Unprepared.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprepared. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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