unforeseen

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

Updated on: 12 May 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

The brunch, now in its fourth year, honors mothers who have lost children to violence, illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

— ashley luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'This brunch has changed lives': Milwaukee brunch for moms who lost children to violence open to the public," 8 May 2018
That's the claim made by French journalist Romain Collet-Gaudin, who says that unless anything unforeseen occurs, the 24-year-old should pitch up at Anfield next season.

— SI.com, "Report Claims Jurgen Klopp Has Met With €70m Transfer Target Ahead of Summer Deal," 8 May 2018
On the other hand, a cross may signify a blockage or unforeseen trouble ahead.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "Your Essential Guide to Tasseography, the Practice of Reading Tea Leaves," 7 May 2018
Check with a tax adviser first, so that transfers don’t trigger unforeseen taxes, says South Carolina State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, the administrator of the state’s Future Scholar 529 plan.

— chana r. schoenberger, WSJ, "What to Know About ‘529’ Transfers," 6 May 2018
Traffic heading both directions on Interstate 70 on Indianapolis’ southwest side slowed considerably because of the unforeseen cash dump, police told the Indianapolis Star.

— jared gilmour, miamiherald, "Brinks truck dumped $600,000 on Indiana highway. Witnesses began scooping it up, cops say | Miami Herald," 2 May 2018
Under the plan, HISD would spend $2 million for an annual allotment, $11 million for staffing, $7.5 million for magnet coordinators and $2 million in unforeseen costs.

— shelby webb, Houston Chronicle, "Houston ISD shrinks projected budget deficit to $104M," 30 Apr. 2018
Even Woo's ambitious hopes for brain enhancers can't bypass the disclaimer: on Nootrobox's website, a label states that the company can't be held liable for unforeseen side effects, even at the proper dosages.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "Brainhackers Are Concocting DIY "Smart Drug" Cocktails," 28 Apr. 2018
But what followed was unforeseen — because if NASCAR's plans for the future succeed, the sport's financing will look markedly different from any time in its 70-year history.

— brendan marks, charlotteobserver, "NASCAR set to pivot to new business model, executive says ... unless it doesn't work | Charlotte Observer," 10 Apr. 2018

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

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UNFORESEEN Defined for Kids

unforeseen

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

Definition of unforeseen for Students

: not known beforehand : unexpected

unforeseen problems

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