the unexpected

noun

: things that happen unexpectedly

Drivers must always be prepared to deal with the unexpected.

Examples of the unexpected in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Soon to no longer collect interest on the unexpected windfall, supervisor Jeff Boone made a cheeky request before initiating the eight-figure payment back to the state. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026

Take in the unexpected beauty of the Chisos Mountain springing from the Chihuahuan Desert, and don’t worry a drop about crowds. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026

Factor in travel time between locations honestly — and leave buffer time for the unexpected discoveries that often end up being the highlight of the trip. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

From playful details to nostalgic styles, this year is all about embracing charm, character, and a touch of the unexpected. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026

Rhymes for the unexpected

• interconnected
• affected
• bisected
• collected
• connected
• corrected
• defected
• deflected
• dejected
• detected
• directed
• dissected