Definitions

off-guard

ADJECTIVE

unprepared

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep on the job daydreaming flat-footed inattentive napping spaced out unalert unready unsuspecting unvigilant unwatchful zoned out

ADVERB

when not paying attention

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep at the switch derelict flat-footed napping negligent not on the job unalert unguarded unprepared unready unwatchful

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.

Yoon's declaration triggered protests, panicked the stock market and caught key allies like the United States off-guard.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Tom Lee, head of research at Fundstrat, explained in his ‘Macro Minute’ video update on Wednesday that this is what caught retail investors off-guard.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Germany is set to increase its bond supply to finance its fiscal expansion but the market seems to be prepared for that and Morgan Stanley strategists don’t expect the numbers to catch the market off-guard.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

The United States, the UK and many other major economies have tightened their investment screening mechanisms after each country appears to have been caught off-guard by deals like the sale of the insurer, Wright USA.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025

The question catches him off-guard, and for several seconds he has no idea what to say.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

off-guard

Example Sentences

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