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
Adverb
  • One’s impression is suddenly modified by the casual strength his handshake conveys, and rightly so, for beneath the elegant lines of his suit are hidden a hard body and the stamina of 10 battalions.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But there’s a dark side to this turn against the suddenly middle-aged, passé millennial generation.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Typically, Angels work alone, but when the Christmas Connection Department faces the threat of downsizing, Monica and Michael are unexpectedly paired to ensure Daisy and Patrick fall in love before Christmas.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Things might be different now, as MFE this week unexpectedly cleared out the ProSieben C-suite and replacing respected ProSieben CEO Bert Habets with its own CFO, Marco Giordani.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unawares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unawares. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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