unanticipated

adjective

un·​an·​tic·​i·​pat·​ed ˌən-an-ˈti-sə-ˌpā-təd 

: not anticipated : unexpected, unforeseen

unanticipatedly adverb

Synonyms of unanticipated

• sudden
• unexpected

Examples of unanticipated in a Sentence

The new policy has had some unanticipated side effects.

ran into some unanticipated difficulties with the computer program

Recent Examples on the Web

Systems fail; unanticipated difficulties occur; things break or rot. — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

As part of the financial analysis, running defensible models against liquidity, taxes, business cash flow and unanticipated downside conditions should take place before decisions are made. — Catherine Shanahan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

One unanticipated effect of my public activism efforts is that people now feel embarrassed about using their smartphones in front of me. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Wars erupt, crises develop, missions end and commanders are faced with unanticipated events to address. — James Laporta, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1779, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unanticipated

• ameliorated
• decontaminated
• deoxygenated
• deteriorated
• differentiated
• disarticulated
• excommunicated
• incapacitated
• individuated
• misappropriated
• monounsaturated
• multinucleated