unawares
Americanadverb
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while not aware or conscious of a thing oneself; unknowingly or inadvertently.
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without warning; by surprise; suddenly; unexpectedly.
to come upon someone unawares.
adverb
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without prior warning or plan; unexpectedly
she caught him unawares
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without being aware of or knowing
he lost it unawares
Etymology
Origin of unawares
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Harteveldt also said the airlines are making schedule changes well ahead of peak summer travel season so as not to catch travelers unawares.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026
The entire plot is driven by Blackthorne’s revelation that even the Christian lords’ European allies are secretly building an army with which they intend to take all of Japan unawares.
From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2024
Because forecasters were caught unawares, so were local residents, who only expected perhaps a Category 2 storm.
From Scientific American • Oct. 25, 2023
Our source said that the coup caught everyone unawares, despite rumours floating around Gen Nguema.
From BBC • Sep. 2, 2023
‘I do not wish to meet that old man at unawares without an argument ready to hand, that is all. Let us go!’
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
