flat-footed

Part of Speech:

All (2) Adjective (1) Adverb (1)

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ADJECTIVE

off-guard

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep on the job daydreaming inattentive napping spaced out unalert unready unsuspecting unvigilant unwatchful zoned out

ADVERB

off-guard

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep at the switch derelict napping negligent not on the job unalert unguarded unprepared unready unwatchful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

flat-footed

He tried to conserve energy and find momentum but he repeatedly got caught flat-footed by Navone.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

But her flat-footed handling of the huge fires that tore through the city in January 2025 left her in trouble.

From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026

Still, when ChatGPT arrived in late 2022, Amazon was caught flat-footed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 27, 2026

Wood dictated the tempo across 12 rounds against a frustrated, flat-footed Warrington.

From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2026

He was short and old, with a white mustache and walked flat-footed with a cane.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway