unprepared

adjective

un·​pre·​pared ˌən-pri-ˈperd 

: 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 

also -ˈperd-nəs

noun

Synonyms of unprepared

• impromptu
• improvised
• improvisational

Examples of unprepared in a Sentence

an obviously unprepared acceptance speech by the surprise winner

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the most striking moments in your article is your conversation with Raed Arafat, the head of Romania’s emergency services, who argues that an early warning system would cause more harm than good because the public is unprepared. — Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 23 July 2026

Her unvarnished, heartsore turn as a woman unprepared to be the face of a movement, but shouldering that responsibility anyway, gives this otherwise stoic affair a nervy, sensitive spine. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 July 2026

Many older, unprepared satellites have no docking plate, beacon or navigation marker. — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

Against that backdrop, LinkedIn data shows nearly 80% of professionals feel unprepared to navigate the 2026 job hunt, and that anxiety is reshaping where Americans choose to build their careers. — Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unprepared

• catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise

Rhymes for unprepared

• aired
• bared
• blared
• caird
• cared
• chaired
• dared
• erred
• fared
• flared
• glared
• haired