Synonyms of unanticipated

unanticipated

adjective

ˌən-an-ˈti-sə-ˌpā-təd 

as in sudden

not expected

ran into some unanticipated difficulties with the computer program

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sudden
• unexpected
• unforeseen
• abrupt
• unlooked-for
• unlikely
• unintended
• unplanned
• improbable
• startling
• surprising

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anticipated
• foreseen
• expected
• predicted
• prophesied
• unsurprising

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unanticipated

Just as the backrooms set design added to the movie’s jump-scare effect, the real world’s design added an unanticipated comedic one. — Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 2 June 2026

There were also unanticipated consequences in Saudi Arabia, where the monarchy used the great oil wealth created to promote a puritanical, fundamentalist version of Islam. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 23 May 2026

Maynard said the city appears to be downplaying the significance of its financial woes, by pinning the blame for its overspending simply on unanticipated snow removal costs driven by two major winter storms. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026

Spirit executives said their restructuring plan failed because of an unanticipated $100 million spike in fuel costs in March and April. — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 8 May 2026