unanticipated

adjective

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

: not anticipated : unexpected, unforeseen

unanticipatedly adverb

Synonyms

• 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

An increase in the supply of bonds to cover the unanticipated shortfall in tariff revenue means the government could have to offer higher yields to attract investors. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025

Alan Greenspan’s Conundrum – ‘Broadly unanticipated behavior’ This has happened before. —George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

So, a couple of things arise from that, though, that present their own unanticipated challenges. —Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025

The unintended—or perhaps unanticipated—consequence of blowing up the model has been the sudden destruction and reconstruction of the college sports bureaucracy, a high-stakes case of building the plane while flying it. —Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2025

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