as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
an obviously unprepared acceptance speech by the surprise winner
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Recent Examples of unprepared
Michael Quinn, a New York attorney who advises estates said that the commercial art world has become so professionalized that many postwar artists are unprepared to organize their studios, archives, and intellectual property before death.
—
Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
The drone is expected to operate from remote bases, ship decks, and unprepared landing zones.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
With so many names and issues on the ballot, Emory University political scientist Andra Gillespie told CBS News Atlanta, walking in unprepared can slow you down and lead to last-minute decisions.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
The former mayor of New Britain appeared unprepared for the release of a report on allegations of backdating of tax bills to eliminate interest on late payments by the city’s tax collector.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprepared
Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
The drone is expected to operate from remote bases, ship decks, and unprepared landing zones.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
With so many names and issues on the ballot, Emory University political scientist Andra Gillespie told CBS News Atlanta, walking in unprepared can slow you down and lead to last-minute decisions.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
The former mayor of New Britain appeared unprepared for the release of a report on allegations of backdating of tax bills to eliminate interest on late payments by the city’s tax collector.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprepared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unprepared
Adjective
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Staff here are always at the ready during the day to prepare specialty coffees for those who choose to make the lounge an impromptu office.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
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Those comments, viewed dimly by some German politicians, prompted the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), which bankrolls and oversees the Berlinale, to call an impromptu meeting to discuss the future of the Berlinale and Tricia Tuttle’s leadership as festival director.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP Portland police said in a statement Saturday night that during an ensuing search of the vehicle and building, investigators located several incendiary and improvised explosive devices, some of which had partially detonated.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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She was blessed with an unstinting energy and buoyancy that had her dashing off postcards far and wide, answering e-mails with improvised poetry, and cold-calling younger writers to offer encouragement.—
Pico Iyer,
Air Mail,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Joined on his visit by son Hunter, what Fieri (and likely many viewers) discovered was a chef turning out dishes that are at once creative and accessible, improvisational yet simple.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
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But seeing the improvisational group War Babies provided the clarity Short desperately needed.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unprepared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unprepared. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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