unexpected

1 of 2

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

unexpectedness

2 of 2

noun

un·​ex·​pect·​ed·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being unexpected

the unexpectedness of the warm welcome

Synonyms of unexpected

Adjective

• sudden

Examples of unexpected in a Sentence

Adjective

an unexpected turn of events

I'm sad that she's leaving, but it was not unexpected.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The flooding was not unexpected after two months of heavy rain that ended a summer of drought. — Mead Gruver, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Simone…commanded a room, captivating audiences with unexpected combinations of genres and her ability to surrender herself completely to the music. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Soon after, there was an unexpected development, as the rival Aledo Bearcat community heard about it. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026

The Persian Gulf state has declared force majeure — citing unexpected, uncontrollable events preventing contracts from being honored — every month since the March attack. — Spencer Kimball,deena Zaidi, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unexpected

• disaffected
• disconnected
• disinfected
• interjected
• intersected
• misdirected
• preselected
• recollected
• reconnected
• redirected
• reelected
• resurrected

Kids Definition

unexpected

adjective

un·​ex·​pect·​ed ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd 

: not expected : unforeseen

an unexpected happening

unexpectedly adverb

unexpectedness noun