unawares

adverb

un·​awares ˌən-ə-ˈwerz 

1

: without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation

2

: without warning : suddenly, unexpectedly

Synonyms

• aback
• suddenly
• unanticipatedly
• 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

Consequently, Baghdad was caught unawares when protests did break out in the capital and in cities such as Mosul in early February, and its initial response was rather panicked. —Raad Alkadiri, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2011

In the case of Hungary, EU leaders may have been caught unawares by Orban’s assaults on democracy. —R. Daniel Kelemen, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2016

But then, out of nowhere, the chile peppers will catch you unawares and land a solid uppercut to the kisser. —Tim Carman, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024

Pictorial imagery catches us unawares because, as intellectuals, we are trained to analyze text and to treat drawings or photographs as trifling adjuncts. —Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

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

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