unplanned

adjective

un·​planned ˌən-ˈpland 

: not expected or intended : not planned

an unplanned detour

an unplanned pregnancy

Synonyms of unplanned

• accidental
• unexpected

Examples of unplanned in a Sentence

an unplanned change in our itinerary—we got lost!

stumbled through a completely unplanned acceptance speech

Recent Examples on the Web

But the unplanned sprawl of African cities is poking holes in that theory. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026

That 145-basis-point benefit got trimmed by 60 basis points of unplanned cost inflation, leaving 85 basis points. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

The International Maritime Organization has biofouling guidelines, but the scale of the current disruption exposes gaps in rules designed around routine shipping rather than mass, unplanned vessel lay-ups. — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Though the rocket collision was unplanned, NASA researchers said the event did not pose a threat to anyone on Earth or to the lunar surface. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unplanned

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland