unprepared

adjective

un·​pre·​pared ˌən-pri-ˈperd 

: not prepared

was unprepared for class

… they were woefully unprepared to take on the responsibilities expected of them.

—Richard M. Ketchum

unpreparedness

ˌən-pri-ˈper-əd-nəs 

also -ˈperd-nəs

noun

Synonyms of unprepared

• impromptu
• improvised
• improvisational

Examples of unprepared in a Sentence

an obviously unprepared acceptance speech by the surprise winner

Recent Examples on the Web

Photographers who have worked in primarily low-stakes environments may technically produce beautiful images but are often unprepared for the particular demands that come with elaborate, multi-vendor productions. —Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

This car will induce whiplash in the unprepared and expletives from those who have been forewarned. —Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026

In the labor market, four decades of Boomer dominance suppressed wages and opportunity for younger workers, and their accelerating exit now threatens a worker shortage businesses are unprepared to absorb. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 May 2026

Yet too many Angelenos feel forced to choose between the political establishment and an outsider unprepared for the magnitude of this job. —Adam Miller, Daily News, 23 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unprepared

• catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise

Rhymes for unprepared

• aired
• bared
• blared
• caird
• cared
• chaired
• dared
• erred
• fared
• flared
• glared
• haired