as in suddenly
without warning
the thunderstorm caught us unawares, and we scrambled to get off the ridge as lightning started to flash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Mbaye, who now lives in Texas, told me about Diop’s passion for seeing the city from a lighthouse, and catching it unawares at dawn.
—
Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
An early freeze that catches a tree unawares can do the same or can cause its leaves to turn straight from green to brown before falling off.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2024
However, PetSmart was caught unawares when Symancyk announced his leaving a day before Signet made its announcement.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
The author caught unawares on the steps of Perugia's Cattedrale San Lorenzo, bag by his side.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unawares
Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
An early freeze that catches a tree unawares can do the same or can cause its leaves to turn straight from green to brown before falling off.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2024
However, PetSmart was caught unawares when Symancyk announced his leaving a day before Signet made its announcement.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
The author caught unawares on the steps of Perugia's Cattedrale San Lorenzo, bag by his side.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unawares
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unawares
Adverb
-
Bob, avoiding the white savior trope, is not some paragon who has all the answers and has suddenly rekindled his passion for being a revolutionary leader.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And Bonitto planted suddenly, spinning back inside and leaving Mims in the dust to sack Browning.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The album sometimes does fit that description—especially on the relatively strong, if unexpectedly downcast, opening three songs.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The new Fair Oaks restaurant and an upcoming Roseville eatery are housed in units formerly filled by Chando’s Tacos — which shut down unexpectedly in July — with two other restaurants slated for Davis and Elk Grove.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unawares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unawares. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share