unawares

adverb un·awares \ ˌən-ə-ˈwerz \

Updated on: 19 Mar 2018

Definition of unawares

1 : without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation

2 : without warning : suddenly, unexpectedly

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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 of unawares from the Web

The drivers were taken unawares when empty cans and bottles showered them and one driver jumped in his cab and departed.

— nan randall, The Atlantic, "'Charlottesville': A Government-Commissioned Story About Nuclear War," 25 Jan. 2018
Likewise, thousands of pedestrians walk unawares over dozens of old ships buried beneath the streets of the city’s financial district.

— greg miller, National Geographic, "New Map Reveals Ships Buried Below San Francisco," 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unawares.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of unawares

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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unawares Synonyms

Phrases

all of a sudden, off base;

UNAWARES Defined for English Language Learners

unawares

adverb

Definition of unawares for English Language Learners

: without warning

UNAWARES Defined for Kids

unawares

adverb un·awares \ ˌən-ə-ˈwerz \

Definition of unawares for Students

1 : without warning : by surprise

“The danger is being caught unawares.”
—Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted

2 : without knowing : unintentionally I came upon them unawares.

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See words that rhyme with unawares Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unawares Spanish Central: Translation of unawares Nglish: Translation of unawares for Spanish speakers

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unawares

Definition of unawares

Examples of unawares in a Sentence

Recent Examples of unawares from the Web

Origin and Etymology of unawares

unawares Synonyms

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UNAWARES Defined for English Language Learners

unawares

Definition of unawares for English Language Learners

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unawares

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