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

Even though people have been waiting for the robot takeover for more than a century, governments seem woefully unprepared for the coming of the androids by the millions or by the billions. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Scientists are worried that in the absence of a major outbreak threatening the region, maintenance of the health systems has waned, leaving them unprepared for potential future epidemics. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Bain, who played only six snaps in the preseason, looked unprepared and overwhelmed in Week 1. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Does this win reflect more on how good the 49ers were or just how bad the Rams were due to being unprepared from no preseason play and sluggish from jet lag? — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 15 Sep. 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