as in sudden
not expected
ran into some unanticipated difficulties with the computer program
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Recent Examples of unanticipated
Those conditions include expenses from unexpected outages, emergencies or new and unanticipated compliance requirements by the end of 2026, according to its agreement with the Department of Energy.
—
Calmatters, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
That could result in unanticipated changes spreading fast through a population before researchers would have a chance to stop it, potentially upending the delicate balance of an ecosystem.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 July 2025
And how did most people react to this horrific, humiliating, unanticipated, life-changing sequence of events for at least three people, not to mention their colleagues and their families?
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
The complications arising from unanticipated setbacks in feedback processes are well known, both in control engineering and systems engineering.
—Tariq Samad, IEEE Spectrum, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unanticipated
Calmatters, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
That could result in unanticipated changes spreading fast through a population before researchers would have a chance to stop it, potentially upending the delicate balance of an ecosystem.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 July 2025
And how did most people react to this horrific, humiliating, unanticipated, life-changing sequence of events for at least three people, not to mention their colleagues and their families?
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
The complications arising from unanticipated setbacks in feedback processes are well known, both in control engineering and systems engineering.
—Tariq Samad, IEEE Spectrum, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unanticipated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unanticipated
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The condition causes sudden weakness or paralysis in muscles on one side of the face and is, in most cases, temporary, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, while the visit included an educational tour, meetings with local schoolchildren and even an unexpected downpour, the standout moment was the debut of Kate's new hairstyle.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
What begins as a casual conversation about the weather and aching hips gradually deepens into an unexpected friendship—and perhaps something more.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unanticipated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unanticipated. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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