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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  • The Bengals can now wait to see more of Stewart’s progress in his rehab and see if a roster spot is suddenly needed to make another move.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But once the probability passes a threshold called the critical probability, the lattice suddenly opens up.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of suddenly
Adverb
  • But the presence of her young daughter, Daisy (Blake Kennedy), unexpectedly brought over by her ex for the weekend, makes the stakes of her survival all the more complicated.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Because last night, unexpectedly, was a banger, led by a team that went 0-12 last year.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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 6 Sep. 2026.

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