flat-footed

adjective

Definition of flat-footednext
as in unprepared

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flat-footed Despite being an early investor in data centers, the company has been caught flat-footed, being surpassed by not only obvious incumbents like NVIDIA and AMD, but also newcomers like Cerebrus. — Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2026 The cinematography, score and editing all stay flat-footed in deference to its lead. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 But the person also predicted that some of crypto’s allies in Washington could be caught flat-footed by the banking ramp-up. — Rachel Witkowski, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Interestingly the Milei administration appeared to have been caught flat-footed by the news. — Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flat-footed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flat-footed
  1. unprepared
  2. underprepared
  3. unready
Adjective
  • The population may be unprepared, but the authorities have done little to help them.
    — Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 21 July 2026
  • During Covid, private health care providers — hospitals and clinics — proved unprepared to manage the deluge of new patients.
    — David Blumenthal, STAT, 20 July 2026
Definition of unprepared
Adjective
  • Indian troops were deployed to thwart Chinese advances but were reportedly inadequately supplied, underprepared, and overwhelmed.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
  • The White House remains underprepared to manage infectious threats.
    — David Blumenthal, STAT, 20 July 2026
Definition of underprepared
Adjective
  • Andrews has gone viral multiple times for demystifying how ballroom dancers get ready, and, more specifically, unready.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
  • If Orion is deemed unready for the TLI burn, Artemis 2 will get no farther than Earth orbit.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of unready

Browse Nearby Words

flatfoot
flat-footed
flatlet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flat-footed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat-footed. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on flat-footed

Nglish: Translation of flat-footed for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of inveigle

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All