as in unprepared
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Recent Examples of flat-footed
So Candle, 46, couldn’t afford a flat-footed start.
—
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
The Rangers had some early success using it to clog the middle of the ice, but too often got caught flat-footed and were left vulnerable to odd-man rushes.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
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
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
The Rangers had some early success using it to clog the middle of the ice, but too often got caught flat-footed and were left vulnerable to odd-man rushes.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
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
Adjective
-
In particular, Maher accused the White House of being unprepared for an Iranian military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The brand-new military craft is designed to be a VTOL machine that can dart through the skies at jet-like speeds of 400 to 450 knots and hover from unprepared surfaces—at least, that’s the goal.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
During most rescues, SAR teams hike into the backcountry to help tired, cold, and underprepared people who planned to be back home by dinnertime.—
Jayme Moye,
Outside,
5 Mar. 2026
-
For Season 38, Devens was underprepared in a way that accidentally worked.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Using an unhealthy or unready starter can lead to a weak rise, a dense crumb, a flat loaf, or off flavors.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The Angels acquired him with apparent intent to play him regularly, and there’s limited competition from flawed or unready internal options (Nelson Rada, Bryce Teodosio, Matthew Lugo).—
Derek VanRiper,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flat-footed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat-footed. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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