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
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.
Expect the unexpected on June 15, as a square between Mars and erratic Uranus in your relationship sector could bring surprising shifts and changes to your partnerships, especially if related to you or your partner’s career. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 June 2025 But our favorite innovative integrations lean more toward the unexpected. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2025 Amid the frenzy of the unexpected attention, Ms. Francis is trying to figure out how to turn this sudden attention into opportunities for herself. Alisha Haridasani Gupta, New York Times, 30 May 2025 Feige’s wife, Tanja Feige, was still reeling from the unexpected loss Sunday night. Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for the unexpected

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The unexpected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20unexpected. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!