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without warning
/ˌwɪθˈɑːt nɜːrnɪŋ/
suddenly or unexpectedly
The storm struck without warning, catching everyone off guard.
The storm arrived unexpectedly, surprising everyone.
general
happening suddenly or unexpectedly, with no prior notice
The company announced layoffs without warning, shocking employees.
The company made layoff announcements unexpectedly, surprising employees.
The dog barked without warning, startling the mailman.
The dog barked suddenly, surprising the mailman.
Often used to describe events that occur abruptly, causing surprise or alarm.
Collocations
without warningsuddenly or unexpectedly
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use 'without warning' to emphasize the suddenness of an event, often with negative connotations.
Gold Rule
Rule of Thumb
This phrase is typically used for events that happen abruptly and without prior notice, often causing surprise or alarm.
Word Origin
Combination of 'without' (lacking) and 'warning' (advance notice), forming a phrase indicating suddenness.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe unexpected events or actions.
Word Breakdown
without
lacking
prefixwarning
advance notice
rootEnglish Dictionary