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

The unanticipated consequences of transformational change are energetically explored in Jude’s films. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Money that Ford spends paying unanticipated tariffs is money that could have been put on the hood to help move new pickups. —Byron Hurd, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026

But this year, some unanticipated challenges are threatening to upend what is usually the busy season for both buyers and sellers. —Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026

But there have been some unanticipated hurdles, like not enough testing facilities in-state to clear all cannabis — hemp and adult-use — products for safety as the law requires. —Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 3 Apr. 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