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unforeseen

adjective un·fore·seen \ ˌən-fȯr-ˈsēn \
|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of unforeseen

: not anticipated or expected : not foreseen : unexpected
  • an unforeseen delay
  • unforeseen consequences

See unforeseen defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of unforeseen from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unforeseen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unforeseen

1651

in the meaning defined above

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unforeseen Synonyms

Synonyms

abrupt, sudden, unanticipated, unexpected, unlooked-for;

Antonyms

anticipated, expected, foreseen;

Near Antonyms

predicted, prophesied;

unsurprising;

Related Words

unintended, unplanned;

improbable, unlikely;

startling, surprising;

UNFORESEEN Defined for Kids

unforeseen

adjective un·fore·seen \ ˌən-fōr-ˈsēn \

Definition of unforeseen for Students

: not known beforehand : unexpected
  • unforeseen problems

Learn More about unforeseen

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unforeseen Spanish Central: Translation of unforeseen Nglish: Translation of unforeseen for Spanish speakers

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