unanticipated
adjective
un·an·tic·i·pat·ed
ˌən-an-ˈti-sə-ˌpā-təd 
: not anticipated : unexpected, unforeseen
unanticipatedly
adverb
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
Whitney Gravelle, president of the Bay Mills Indian Community, explained that the tribes had a plan with the Army Corps and Enbridge for unanticipated discoveries, knowing there was a high likelihood that human remains or artifacts of cultural significance would be found during the survey process.
—
Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
By the early ’80s, however, California lawmakers had already begun discussing reforms to the legislation to address its unanticipated consequences — among them, making development a financially prohibitive prospect.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 July 2025
Republican leaders are pitching the Medicaid crackdown in response to the program's ballooning budget and, in particular, the unanticipated $1 billion budget shortfall discovered in late 2023.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Visibility is key, and so are resourceful staff members who are able to react fast to unanticipated changes.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unanticipated
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.
Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
By the early ’80s, however, California lawmakers had already begun discussing reforms to the legislation to address its unanticipated consequences — among them, making development a financially prohibitive prospect.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 July 2025
Republican leaders are pitching the Medicaid crackdown in response to the program's ballooning budget and, in particular, the unanticipated $1 billion budget shortfall discovered in late 2023.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Visibility is key, and so are resourceful staff members who are able to react fast to unanticipated changes.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unanticipated
Cite this Entry
“Unanticipated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unanticipated. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share