Definitions

unready

[uhn-red-ee] / ʌnˈrɛd i /

ADJECTIVE

premature

Synonyms

STRONGEST

immature incomplete untimely

WEAK

a bit previous abortive early on embryonic forward green inopportune overearly oversoon precipitate predeveloped previous raw soon unanticipated undeveloped unfledged unripe

Antonyms

WEAK

backward careful cautious delayed late mature overdue prepared slow

ADJECTIVE

unripe

Synonyms

STRONG

green immature

Antonyms

STRONG

experienced old

ADJECTIVE

unprepared

Synonyms

STRONGEST

unaware vulnerable

WEAK

ad-lib caught off guard ill-considered impromptu improvised napping not prepared off the cuff off the top of one's head offhand played by ear spontaneous surprised taken off guard unexpected unplanned unrehearsed unschooled unskilled untrained winged

ADJECTIVE

unskilled

Synonyms

STRONGEST

incompetent inexperienced uneducated unqualified unschooled

WEAK

awkward green inadequate inept inexpert inproficient not up to raw unable undeveloped unequipped unhandy untalented

Antonyms

STRONGEST

competent educated experienced expert learned

ADJECTIVE

unsuited

Synonyms

STRONGEST

incompatible

WEAK

inapt unfitting unseemly

Antonyms

WEAK

suitable

ADJECTIVE

sluggish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

heavy inactive lethargic listless slack slow stagnant

WEAK

apathetic blah comatose dopey down dragging draggy drippy hebetudinous indolent inert laid-back languid languorous leaden lifeless lumpish mooney off phlegmatic pokey sleepyheaded slothful sluggard slumberous stiff sullen torpid unresponsive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

active alert busy energetic lively moving

WEAK

fast spirited

ADJECTIVE

inattentive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apathetic bored careless distracted distraught indifferent oblivious

WEAK

absent absentminded blind distrait diverted dreamy faraway heedless inadvertent inobservant listless lost musing neglectful off-guard out to lunch preoccupied rapt regardless remiss removed scatterbrained thoughtless unconscious undiscerning unheeding unmindful unnoticing unobservant unobserving unperceiving unthinking unwatchful vague

Antonyms

STRONGEST

caring concerned interested mindful

WEAK

attentive heedful looking noticing observant

ADJECTIVE

unresponsive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

insensitive passive

WEAK

cold cool frigid unemotional unfeeling

Antonyms

WEAK

responsive

ADVERB

off-guard

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep at the switch derelict flat-footed napping negligent not on the job unalert unguarded unprepared unwatchful

ADVERB

unawares

Synonyms

STRONG

short

WEAK

aback abruptly accidentally by accident by mistake by surprise carelessly ignorantly inadvertently mistakenly off guard sudden surprisingly unconsciously unexpectedly unintentionally unknowingly unprepared unwittingly

Antonyms

WEAK

consciously knowingly

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.

The Cambodian government seems unready to address questions about the leak.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2025

Alas, the root of the issue was some light questioning from Judge Maryellen Noreika that revealed a plea deal unready for prime time.

From Slate • Jul. 29, 2023

It is an increasingly popular way to smooth the awkward high-school-to-college transition that has inflicted on unready teenagers such annoyances as scary SAT tests and slick college brochures.

From Washington Post • Dec. 11, 2022

Being the oldest left him in a position of authority he often felt unready for.

From New York Times • Jan. 28, 2022

She had never been so unready for anything.

From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder

unready

Example Sentences

Related Words