FLAT-FOOTED Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

flat-footed

adjective

Definition of flat-footed

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

Adjective

This narrative was given a rocket-fuel boost when UC math professors released an open letter demanding standardized tests be reinstated to weed out the unprepared students cluttering their classes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Aussie keeper Patrick Beach couldn’t do anything about it, such was the quality of the cross from Karim Hafez, with the Aussie defense looking unprepared to deal with the problem.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Definition of unprepared

Adjective

Women are seeking care from specialized platforms precisely because their own physicians are underprepared.

— Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Current and former Israeli military officials have also acknowledged that Israel was underprepared for the drone threat.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 28 June 2026

Definition of underprepared

Browse Nearby Words

flatfoot

flat-footed

flatlet

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flat-footed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat-footed. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of flat-footed

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on flat-footed

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fulcrum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes