unplanned

adjective

un·​planned ˌən-ˈpland How to pronounce unplanned (audio)
Synonyms of unplannednext
: not expected or intended : not planned
an unplanned detour
an unplanned pregnancy

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While roughly 58% have enough cash to cover unplanned costs for a single year, around 16% would have to tap their 401(k) or other retirement accounts and the rest — about 27% — would fall short even after using all their cash and retirement assets. Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2026 Now that the bill of losing with no end in sight has come due, the club’s latest rebuilding era has arrived fitfully and — despite Rutherford’s suggestion on Wednesday that the club has been preparing for this moment for two or three years — it’s arrived largely unplanned for. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026 Other customers may also experience unplanned power outages from the high winds, according to the utility. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026 The result of an unplanned pregnancy, born several years after her three older siblings, Janet had always felt disconnected from the momentum of her family. Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unplanned

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unplanned was in 1775

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Cite this Entry

“Unplanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unplanned. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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