unbeknownst to
idiom
chiefly US
: without being known about by (someone)
Unbeknownst to the students, the teacher had entered the room.
Examples of unbeknownst to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the middle of the 57-year-old's on-air discussion about the film, cohost Sunny Hostin segued into a question for the Canadian actress while, unbeknownst to her, her shoulder-baring dress had slipped down her arm enough to reveal the top of the panelist's undergarment.
—
Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Not helping matters: Damian — who unbeknownst to Martha is still in Ingrid’s life — calmly informs Ingrid that the damage to the planet due to climate change is irreversible.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Who is this trio of hostile persons who've apparently been living in Silo 17 unbeknownst to Solo?
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Another was lovely just, unbeknownst to me, also gay.
—Essence, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unbeknownst to 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Not helping matters: Damian — who unbeknownst to Martha is still in Ingrid’s life — calmly informs Ingrid that the damage to the planet due to climate change is irreversible.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Who is this trio of hostile persons who've apparently been living in Silo 17 unbeknownst to Solo?
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Another was lovely just, unbeknownst to me, also gay.
—Essence, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unbeknownst to
Dictionary Entries Near unbeknownst to
Cite this Entry
“Unbeknownst to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unbeknownst%20to. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share