unbeknownst to

idiom

chiefly US
: without being known about by (someone)
Unbeknownst to the students, the teacher had entered the room.

Examples of unbeknownst to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It was further enabled by the fact that our location, unbeknownst to us, had been sold. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026 The play’s thriller twists and turns begin after Susan discovers that a doll, gifted to her after Sam’s most recent trip, has secretly been stuffed with a valuable bag of drugs, unbeknownst to her husband. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 That same night, unbeknownst to friends and family, the couple spontaneously married in a courthouse wedding. Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026 Jack has a past—and, unbeknownst to him, a connection to his new employer. Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unbeknownst to

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unbeknownst to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unbeknownst%20to. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster