unawares
adverb
un·awares
ˌən-ə-ˈwerz 
1
: without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation
2
: without warning : suddenly, unexpectedly
Synonyms
Examples of unawares in a Sentence
the thunderstorm caught us unawares, and we scrambled to get off the ridge as lightning started to flash
Recent Examples on the Web
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 
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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
Articles Related to unawares
Dictionary Entries Near unawares
Cite this Entry
“Unawares.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unawares. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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unawares
adverb
un·awares
ˌən-ə-ˈwa(ə)rz
-ˈwe(ə)rz
1
: without knowing : unintentionally
2
: without warning : by surprise
taken unawares
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