unawares

adverb

un·​awares ˌən-ə-ˈwerz 

1

: without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation

2

: without warning : suddenly, unexpectedly

Synonyms

• 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

This was not the first time the Alaska Volcanic Observatory (AVO) had been caught unawares by Veniaminof, even with rigorous monitoring. —Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2025

The swiftness with which the market changed their stripes caught us unawares and big gains weren’t taken. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025

Mbaye, who now lives in Texas, told me about Diop’s passion for seeing the city from a lighthouse, and catching it unawares at dawn. —Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024

An early freeze that catches a tree unawares can do the same or can cause its leaves to turn straight from green to brown before falling off. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2024

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
• bulgars
• compares
• crosshairs
• declares
• despairs
• downstairs
• forbears
• forebears

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