unawares

adverb

un·​awares ˌən-ə-ˈwerz 

1

: without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation

As to my pronunciation, it improved rapidly and unawares.

—George Santayana

2

: without warning

—used to describe something that happens unexpectedly

The rain caught us unawares. [=we were not expecting rain]

She was taken unawares [=by surprise] by the change in plans.

Synonyms of unawares

• suddenly
• unaware
• unexpectedly

Examples of unawares in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The big players, caught unawares, unintentionally ghosting smaller fish hoping to pitch them. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Frost that catches you unawares can be devastating—at least to certain plants. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025

Still, workers were caught unawares by the shutdown, Ball and Nava said. — Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025

While the Terrans struggle to suppress a rebel faction incensed by humanity's alliance with the alien Vasudans, they're caught unawares by the return of an existential threat to the peace-loving species of the galaxy. — Alan Bradley, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unawares

• catch (someone) unawares
• catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise
• take (someone) unawares

Rhymes for unawares

• concessionaires
• affaires
• affairs
• armchairs
• compares
• crosshairs
• declares
• despairs
• downstairs
• forbears
• forebears
• housewares

Kids Definition

unawares

adverb

un·​awares ˌən-ə-ˈwa(ə)rz 

-ˈwe(ə)rz

1

: without knowing : unintentionally

2

: without warning : by surprise

taken unawares