unawares
Without any warning
Unawares means without warning or preparation, catching someone off guard: The question caught me unawares.
It can also mean without being aware or noticing: She had walked unawares into a trap.
The word functions as an adverb despite its plural-looking ending.
Seized or grabbed
- off-guardNot anticipating trouble
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
blindsided · astonished · shocked · unprepared · unsuspecting · oblivious · unwitting · unnoticed
Lacking awareness or information
- ignorantLacking knowledge or awareness
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- unconsciousNot awake or aware
- heedlessCareless of consequences
inattentive · distracted · preoccupied · daydreaming · absent-minded · clueless · blind · deaf
Lacking necessary preparation
- unreadyNot yet prepared
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- exposedOut in open
helpless · flat-footed · wrong-footed · napping · open · susceptible · unprotected · unguarded
caught
Seized or grabbed
- off-guardNot anticipating trouble
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
ambushed · blindsided · astonished · shocked · unprepared · unsuspecting · oblivious · unwitting · unnoticed · sudden
unknowing
Lacking awareness or information
- ignorantLacking knowledge or awareness
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- unconsciousNot awake or aware
heedless · inattentive · distracted · preoccupied · daydreaming · absent-minded · clueless · blind · deaf · napping
ill-equipped
Lacking necessary preparation
- unreadyNot yet prepared
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- defenselessWithout means to resist
exposed · helpless · flat-footed · wrong-footed · napping · open · susceptible · unprotected · unguarded · unsuspecting
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
lurk · pounce · trap · waylay · catch · snare · spring · overtake
unawaresknowingly
With deliberate awareness
consciously · wittingly · aware · alertly · attentively
unawaresdeliberately
Done with intention
intentionally · purposely · on purpose · by design · purposefully
unawaresprepared
Made ready beforehand
ready · on guard · expectantly · forewarned · braced
- catch unawaresSurprise someone unprepared
- blissfully unaware