unawares

adverb

un·​awares ˌən-ə-ˈwerz How to pronounce unawares (audio)
1
: without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation
2
: without warning : suddenly, unexpectedly

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
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.
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 

Word History

Etymology

un- + aware + -s, adverb suffix, from Middle English, from -s, genitive singular ending of nouns — more at -s

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unawares was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near unawares

Cite this Entry

“Unawares.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unawares. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unawares

adverb
un·​awares ˌən-ə-ˈwa(ə)rz How to pronounce unawares (audio)
-ˈwe(ə)rz
1
: without knowing : unintentionally
2
: without warning : by surprise
taken unawares

More from Merriam-Webster on unawares

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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