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

Although heavy rain had been battering the area for hours, many, like Guillermo Serrano Pérez and his family, were caught unawares by the force of the floods.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2024

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

It must have hurt as much as it caught the Reverend unawares.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou