unexpecting
Not anticipating anything
Not expecting; caught off guard or unprepared.
The word functions like "unsuspecting" but emphasizes the absence of anticipation rather than the absence of suspicion: The news hit her unexpecting.
Less common than "unexpected," which describes the event rather than the person experiencing it.
Lacking knowledge of something
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- unpreparedLacking readiness beforehand
- obliviousLacking any awareness
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
blindsided · naive · unwitting · innocent · trusting · guileless · heedless · inattentive
Deeply startled or appalled
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- astonishedGreatly shocked, overwhelmed
- taken abackShocked into momentary confusion
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
dumbfounded · floored · speechless · thunderstruck · gobsmacked · flabbergasted · wide-eyed · amazed
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unguardedWithout protection or caution
- openNot closed
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
targetable · exploitable · helpless · unprotected · uncovered · prey · victim · mark
unaware
Lacking knowledge of something
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- unpreparedLacking readiness beforehand
- obliviousLacking any awareness
caught off guard · blindsided · naive · unwitting · innocent · trusting · guileless · heedless · inattentive · off-guard
shocked
Deeply startled or appalled
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- astonishedGreatly shocked, overwhelmed
- taken abackShocked into momentary confusion
stunned · dumbfounded · floored · speechless · thunderstruck · gobsmacked · flabbergasted · wide-eyed · amazed · astounded
exposed
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unguardedWithout protection or caution
- openNot closed
susceptible · targetable · exploitable · helpless · unprotected · uncovered · prey · victim · mark · easy target
unexpectingexpecting
Awaiting a predicted outcome
expectant · anticipating · prepared · awaiting · forewarned
expect, expected, unexpected, expecting, expectation, expectant, unexpectedly, expectancy, unexpectedness