as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
an obviously unprepared acceptance speech by the surprise winner
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Recent Examples of unprepared
In the coming weeks, the NFL intends to begin hiring and training replacement officials, hoping to avoid a situation similar to 2012 when a stalemate led to a 110-day lockout and fill-in officials, many unprepared, were pressed into action.
—
Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Four years into the war in Ukraine, the United States is unprepared for the radically new form of warfare that has been raging there.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Once a raccoon bites a person, the animal often must be euthanized and tested for rabies, a reality that rescue groups say already happens frequently when owners are unprepared for the challenges of keeping the animals.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
But, as has been widely discussed, putting US boots on the ground would carry enormous risks, not least because possible ground operations have been telegraphed by Washington for weeks, while apparently unprepared US forces scattered across the world have been slowly amassed.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprepared
Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Four years into the war in Ukraine, the United States is unprepared for the radically new form of warfare that has been raging there.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Once a raccoon bites a person, the animal often must be euthanized and tested for rabies, a reality that rescue groups say already happens frequently when owners are unprepared for the challenges of keeping the animals.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
But, as has been widely discussed, putting US boots on the ground would carry enormous risks, not least because possible ground operations have been telegraphed by Washington for weeks, while apparently unprepared US forces scattered across the world have been slowly amassed.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprepared
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unprepared
Adjective
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Like others, his first impromptu stop at the museum came while driving across the state for political events.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Particular kudos for being able to respond swiftly and smoothly to special needs and impromptu requests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In Russia and Ukraine, soldiers have learned to protect their tanks from drone strikes using improvised nets and boxes, which cover the vehicles like a turtle shell.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Last year, British electronic producer Actress and modular synthesis pioneer Suzanne Ciani performed an improvised piece titled Concrète Waves at the Barbican in London and Barcelona’s Sónar Festival.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The improvisational locavore mastery of Sharon Hage at York Street Cafe.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Even if the new music is largely inert, BTS are still able to make these scenes come alive with a special improvisational energy.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unprepared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unprepared. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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