as in sudden
not expected
ran into some unanticipated difficulties with the computer program
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Recent Examples of unanticipated
Another concern is that, just like in Jurassic Park, something unanticipated could go terribly wrong.
—
Rob Stein, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
Vladislav Gavrikov, who was voted the team’s best defenseman last year but deemphasized in the playoffs, went from a slam-dunk re-signing to an unanticipated departure, similar to Matt Roy a year earlier.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Tuesday at the legislature will provide an unanticipated test of whether the 14 members of the committee that acts on regulations–the only committee with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans–will act to ban the sale of opioids in gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026
Once an economy that relied heavily on fishing, Greenland has embraced its unanticipated turn in the geopolitical spotlight by building infrastructure, including a new airport, which opened in the capital, Nuuk, in 2024.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unanticipated
Rob Stein, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
Vladislav Gavrikov, who was voted the team’s best defenseman last year but deemphasized in the playoffs, went from a slam-dunk re-signing to an unanticipated departure, similar to Matt Roy a year earlier.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Tuesday at the legislature will provide an unanticipated test of whether the 14 members of the committee that acts on regulations–the only committee with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans–will act to ban the sale of opioids in gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026
Once an economy that relied heavily on fishing, Greenland has embraced its unanticipated turn in the geopolitical spotlight by building infrastructure, including a new airport, which opened in the capital, Nuuk, in 2024.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unanticipated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unanticipated
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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The sudden rise of Tyler Ballgame from the Eagle Rock scene is something Perry seems to feel some ambivalence about.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Reviewing these options in advance can help prevent unexpected medical expenses later in the year.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Chalker’s strategy for clearing his reputation—which had been the foundation of his lucrative business—was unexpected, to say the least.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unanticipated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unanticipated. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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