unawares

adverb

ˌən-ə-ˈwerz How to pronounce unawares (audio)
Definition of unawaresnext
as in suddenly
without warning the thunderstorm caught us unawares, and we scrambled to get off the ridge as lightning started to flash

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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 unawares Short squeezes can happen when a troubled company bounces back, catching doubters unawares. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 22 July 2025 However, with no standardized dimensions across airlines, travelers have often been caught unawares with incorrectly sized bags when switching between carriers. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 July 2025 This was not the first time the Alaska Volcanic Observatory (AVO) had been caught unawares by Veniaminof, even with rigorous monitoring. — Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2025 The swiftness with which the market changed their stripes caught us unawares and big gains weren’t taken. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unawares
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unawares
  1. suddenly
  2. unexpectedly
Adverb
  • Since the search giant doesn’t license all the content in the knowledge box, Google could risk future lawsuits if the act of algorithmically creating the knowledge box without licenses suddenly becomes viewed as infringement, Rose said.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
  • But then, during the Centennial year, Congress suddenly acted to fund and complete the tower.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 27 July 2026
Definition of suddenly
Adverb
  • Related Stories The film follows teenager Danny, who after making a mistake that could derail his future, unexpectedly reconnects with Josh, a social worker who once tried to help him but whose own mistakes drove them apart.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • China’s factory activity unexpectedly slowed in July, the first such contraction in five months, weighing on the pace of broader growth for the world's second-largest economy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of unexpectedly

Browse Nearby Words

unawareness
unawares
unbalance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unawares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unawares. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unawares

Nglish: Translation of unawares for Spanish Speakers

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