unawares
adverb
un·awares
ˌən-ə-ˈwerz 
1
: without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation
2
: without warning : suddenly, 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
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
The North Face Women's Venture 2 Waterproof Hooded Rain Jacket
Being caught unawares on one too many rain showers in Iceland, Thailand, and even the streets of Chicago has taught me to never travel without a good rain jacket.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2025
The unfinished portrait drawing was a Regency fashion, as executed by professional society artists Thomas Lawrence and Richard Cosway, where the intention was to capture personality unawares, unstudied, as in life.
—Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unawares
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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
The North Face Women's Venture 2 Waterproof Hooded Rain Jacket
Being caught unawares on one too many rain showers in Iceland, Thailand, and even the streets of Chicago has taught me to never travel without a good rain jacket.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2025
The unfinished portrait drawing was a Regency fashion, as executed by professional society artists Thomas Lawrence and Richard Cosway, where the intention was to capture personality unawares, unstudied, as in life.
—Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unawares
Cite this Entry
“Unawares.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unawares. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unawares
adverb
un·awares
ˌən-ə-ˈwa(ə)rz
-ˈwe(ə)rz
1
: without knowing : unintentionally
2
: without warning : by surprise
taken unawares
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