unexpected
adjective
un·ex·pect·ed
ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd 
: not expected : unforeseen
unexpectedly
adverb
unexpectedness
noun
Examples of unexpected in a Sentence
an unexpected turn of events
I'm sad that she's leaving, but it was not unexpected.
Recent Examples on the Web
Estate sales are a treasure trove for uncovering vintage clothing, and real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places.
—
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
She’s taken her most unexpected pivot yet on this epic kiss-off from Portrait of My Heart, with visceral riffs and overdriven melodies evoking the high-wire emo theatrics that infiltrated MTV during the 33-year-old’s own teenage years.
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The Jim Caviezel movie, based on the real-life efforts of Tim Ballard to combat child trafficking, became an unexpected smash success.
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This was not unexpected or even unprecedented: States like California, Pennsylvania and Illinois had already banned or were in the process of banning the use of the dye, prompting many businesses to begin pivoting away from its use.
—Stephen Deangelis, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
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Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
She’s taken her most unexpected pivot yet on this epic kiss-off from Portrait of My Heart, with visceral riffs and overdriven melodies evoking the high-wire emo theatrics that infiltrated MTV during the 33-year-old’s own teenage years.
—Jenn Pelly, Time, 7 June 2025
The Jim Caviezel movie, based on the real-life efforts of Tim Ballard to combat child trafficking, became an unexpected smash success.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
This was not unexpected or even unprecedented: States like California, Pennsylvania and Illinois had already banned or were in the process of banning the use of the dye, prompting many businesses to begin pivoting away from its use.
—Stephen Deangelis, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unexpected
Cite this Entry
“Unexpected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unexpected. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unexpected
adjective
un·ex·pect·ed
ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd
: not expected : unforeseen
an unexpected happening
unexpectedly
adverb
unexpectedness
noun
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