unprepare

Unprepare is a formal transitive verb meaning to make someone or something unprepared or not ready. It is formed from the prefix un-, meaning the reverse or undoing of a quality, combined with prepare. Unlike the adjective unprepared, which describes a person or thing that is already not ready, unprepare describes an action that removes readiness or preparation. The word can be used when circumstances, events, or negligence leave people poorly equipped to deal with something, as in a statement that a crisis unprepared the nation for harder challenges. It may also mean to spoil or undermine a favourable state, such as an opponent's advantage. In ordinary speech, people are more likely to say that something left them unprepared, made them unprepared, or left them unprepared for what was to come. Unprepare is consequently most often encountered in formal writing, journalism, political commentary, and literary contexts. Its rarity gives it a somewhat emphatic quality and makes it useful for expressing the active removal of readiness rather than merely describing its absence.

To make someone or something unprepared or not ready. It is the reverse of preparing or making ready.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does unprepare come from?

Unprepare was formed in English by combining the prefix un-, meaning 'reverse of' or 'undoing of,' with prepare. The prefix here indicates that preparation is taken away rather than merely that a thing is not prepared. Its semantic development follows the ordinary pattern of English verbs formed with un-, such as undo, untie, and unfasten.

Related word forms

How unprepare is actually used

Unprepare is relatively uncommon and has a formal or literary tone. It is normally transitive, taking the person or thing being made unprepared as its object.

Easily confused with unprepare

What's another word for unprepare?

What's the opposite of unprepare?

Rhymes with unprepare