unexpected
adjective
un·ex·pect·ed
ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd 
: not expected : unforeseen
unexpectedly
adverb
unexpectedness
noun
Synonyms
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
Both of those things in their way are unexpected, right?
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Changes in animal behavior during partial eclipses are unexpected
Arizona zoos did not anticipate significant animal reactions because, as with an eclipse in 2017, the state was not under the path of totality, and the moon covered only about 65% of the sun.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
The public interaction was unexpected, as the royal couple sat apart from the rest of the congregation (including several members of the royal family) in line with medical advice to minimize the risk of infection amid the King’s treatment.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The contrast of a sleek metal base with a soft pleated shade is joyfully unexpected.
—Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2024
But there was an unexpected guest: Princess Beatrice, his grown daughter with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
—USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
The presence of granite suggested an unexpected twist in the historical record—and in assumptions of when ice had deposited sediment at that location.
—David Kushner, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024
Yet even that description belies a series with unexpected twists, in a way that’s sure to be divisive but benefits from its genuine sense of surprise and discovery.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
This dark comedy is as brilliantly written as it is cleverly brought to life by this incredibly talented and hilarious cast, a cast who is accompanied by another unexpected character: language.
—Maëlle Beauget-Uhl, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Changes in animal behavior during partial eclipses are unexpected
Arizona zoos did not anticipate significant animal reactions because, as with an eclipse in 2017, the state was not under the path of totality, and the moon covered only about 65% of the sun.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
The public interaction was unexpected, as the royal couple sat apart from the rest of the congregation (including several members of the royal family) in line with medical advice to minimize the risk of infection amid the King’s treatment.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The contrast of a sleek metal base with a soft pleated shade is joyfully unexpected.
—Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2024
But there was an unexpected guest: Princess Beatrice, his grown daughter with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
—USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
The presence of granite suggested an unexpected twist in the historical record—and in assumptions of when ice had deposited sediment at that location.
—David Kushner, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024
Yet even that description belies a series with unexpected twists, in a way that’s sure to be divisive but benefits from its genuine sense of surprise and discovery.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
This dark comedy is as brilliantly written as it is cleverly brought to life by this incredibly talented and hilarious cast, a cast who is accompanied by another unexpected character: language.
—Maëlle Beauget-Uhl, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unexpected.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unexpected
Cite this Entry
“Unexpected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unexpected. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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