unawares

Adverb

• By surprise; unexpectedly.
• without forethought or plan; inadvertently
  • "came upon the diamond unawares"
• suddenly and unexpectedly; ; - A.Lincoln
  • "rain caught them unawares"
  • "sorrow comes to all, and to the young it comes with bittered agony because it takes them unawares"
• at a disadvantage

Adv

• Unexpectedly or by surprise.
• Inadvertently.
• Without plan or forethought.

Examples

• I'm afraid I've taken the wrong coat, unawares.
• The ’QIX’ play caught my opponent unawares, securing an unexpected bonus.
• Your question catches/takes me unawares, I don't know the answer right now...

Synonyms

short

Related Words

at unawares, unaware, unawarely