unawares

American  

[uhn-uh-wairz] / ˌʌn əˈwɛərz /

adverb

1. while not aware or conscious of a thing oneself; unknowingly or inadvertently.

2. without warning; by surprise; suddenly; unexpectedly.

   to come upon someone unawares.

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unawares British  

/ ˌʌnəˈwɛəz /

adverb

1. without prior warning or plan; unexpectedly

   she caught him unawares

2. without being aware of or knowing

   he lost it unawares

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Etymology

Origin of unawares

First recorded in 1525–35; unaware + -s ¹

Example Sentences

Federal prosecutors disagreed, indicating they were caught unawares by his removal and still hoped to bring Flores to trial — if he ever returns to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

Although Verstappen caught him unawares with his stunning pass into the first chicane in Imola on Sunday, Piastri has already shown he is not intimidated by the four-time champion's uncompromising approach to racing.

From BBC • May 22, 2025

All of those clips are mesmerizing and alluring and haunting, as if we’re actually looking at invisible spirits or fairies captured unawares.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2024

Because forecasters were caught unawares, so were local residents, who only expected perhaps a Category 2 storm.

From Scientific American • Oct. 25, 2023

Caught unawares, the rest of us had to scramble to get behind our rocks before the fuse reached the powder.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam