flat-footed

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 When Guccione spread his arms wide, signaling Tatis had not swung – and had not struck out – Laureano was flat-footed in no-man’s land. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Aug. 2025 In the 71st minute, Necaxa took a short corner kick and routinely delivered a pass to the head of an unmarked Alexis Peña, who caught goalkeeper Pedro Gallese flat-footed to make the score 5-1. Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025 After the last wave of the opioid epidemic, we cannot get caught flat-footed again. Jenna Sundel gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025 While coaches and teammates climbed a ladder to cut pieces of the nets after the Gators won the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Rioux was able to do it while standing flat-footed. Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for flat-footed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flat-footed
Adjective
  • Shutdowns can delay contracts, squeeze liquidity, and reveal how unprepared many companies are to absorb shocks, Gainer said.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The challenges schools face While there is no federal data on how many public schools have air conditioning, many schools were built for cooler temperatures, and are unprepared for how our changing climate is making extreme heat days stretch further into the fall.
    Simmone Shah, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But when its characters butt up against real historical conflicts and resonant social issues, the series can seem a little underprepared to take them on.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
  • But Gen Z’s brief job tenures are much more complicated than what meets the eye; entry-level job postings have fallen 29% since January 2024, and alongside fewer opportunities, many are feeling underprepared and unsupported in their professional lives.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Successors are unready when the call comes.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Every hospital, power grid, pipeline, water treatment plant, and telecommunications system is on the frontlines, and most of the United States’ critical infrastructure is unready for battle.
    Anne Neuberger, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flat-footed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat-footed. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on flat-footed

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!