unbeknownst
Outside one's knowledge
Unbeknownst means without someone's knowledge: Unbeknownst to her parents, she had been skipping school for weeks.
The word almost always appears in the phrase "unbeknownst to," introducing information that a person was unaware of.
Unbeknown is an older variant with the same meaning.
Both forms are slightly formal or literary.
Lacking any awareness
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- unknowingLacking awareness or information
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- ignorantLacking knowledge or awareness
clueless · uninformed · blind · unconscious · unwitting · unperceiving · naive · innocent
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- hiddenKept out of sight
- undisclosedNot made known
surreptitious · stealthy · furtive · undercover · confidential · classified · privy · backdoor
Act of finding something
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- realizationGrasping what's true
- unveilingAct of first revealing
exposure · disclosure · eye-opener · bombshell · awakening · epiphany · jaw-dropper · unexpected
oblivious
Lacking any awareness
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- unknowingLacking awareness or information
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
ignorant · clueless · uninformed · blind · unconscious · unwitting · unperceiving · naive · innocent · insensible
covert
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- hiddenKept out of sight
undisclosed · surreptitious · stealthy · furtive · undercover · confidential · classified · privy · backdoor · cloak-and-dagger
discovery
Act of finding something
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- realizationGrasping what's true
unveiling · exposure · disclosure · eye-opener · bombshell · awakening · epiphany · jaw-dropper · unexpected