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.

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

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

From BBC • May 18, 2025

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

When they rounded a corner, they flattened themselves fast against the building to catch what followed unawares moving steadily forward.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston