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

Just as the backrooms set design added to the movie’s jump-scare effect, the real world’s design added an unanticipated comedic one. — Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 2 June 2026

Either there was a layoff at 55 to 60 years old, unanticipated health issues, or others. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 June 2026

Maynard said the city appears to be downplaying the significance of its financial woes, by pinning the blame for its overspending simply on unanticipated snow removal costs driven by two major winter storms. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026

Spirit executives said their restructuring plan failed because of an unanticipated $100 million spike in fuel costs in March and April. — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 8 May 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