unawares

[uhn-uh-wairz]

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.

unawares

/ ˌʌnəˈwɛəz /

adverb

1. without prior warning or plan; unexpectedly

   she caught him unawares

2. without being aware of or knowing

   he lost it unawares

Word History and Origins

Origin of unawares¹

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

Example Sentences

When asked why the riverside summer camp was not evacuated, officials said the sudden scale of the deluge caught them unawares.

From BBC

As the plane door opened, the couple were caught unawares.

From Los Angeles Times

He "sent it" around the outside with full commitment, and caught Piastri - an instinctive and clinical racer himself, normally - unawares.

From BBC

Muir added the bonus point before half-time, as Ben Spencer ran down the blindside from a scrum to catch Saracens unawares before passing to the winger, who sprinted over a tackle into the corner.

From BBC

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