unexpected
adjective
un·ex·pect·ed
ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd 
: not expected : unforeseen
unexpected consequences/results
Drivers must be prepared to deal with the unexpected. [=things that happen unexpectedly]
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
The Las Culturistas Culture Awards celebrate culture’s most iconic and consequential moments of the year with more than 100 unique award categories, live musical performances and unexpected celebrity guests.
—
Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 16 Nov. 2025
In an unexpected and thrilling first for Norway and possibly all of Europe, archaeologists discovered a remarkably elaborate system for herding, capturing, and processing reindeer on the Aurlandsfjellet mountain plateau in Vestland County, Norway.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 16 Nov. 2025
Beyond the Epstein files, Trump is facing criticism over foreign policy issues, the state of the economy, the offer of 600,000 visas to Chinese students, and his unexpected praise for the H-1B visa program, policies which have been described as particularly anti-MAGA.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
With more than 100 unique award categories, live musical performances and unexpected celebrity guests, this show brings culture’s most crucial moments to life.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unexpected
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Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 16 Nov. 2025
In an unexpected and thrilling first for Norway and possibly all of Europe, archaeologists discovered a remarkably elaborate system for herding, capturing, and processing reindeer on the Aurlandsfjellet mountain plateau in Vestland County, Norway.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 16 Nov. 2025
Beyond the Epstein files, Trump is facing criticism over foreign policy issues, the state of the economy, the offer of 600,000 visas to Chinese students, and his unexpected praise for the H-1B visa program, policies which have been described as particularly anti-MAGA.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
With more than 100 unique award categories, live musical performances and unexpected celebrity guests, this show brings culture’s most crucial moments to life.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Nov. 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 17 Nov. 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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