as in sudden
not expected
the failure of the backup generator was unexpected and a contingency for which we weren't prepared
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Recent Examples of unexpected
An unexpected moment in November reminds you that chemistry won’t suffice in a connection that feels one-sided or unclear.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Then everything unfolded in unexpected ways.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Wolverine has upped its marketing game in recent years with unexpected collaborations and partnerships.
—Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
As new technological tools such as AI, cryptocurrency, and beyond continue to expand, how general consumers interact with the internet has evolved in unexpected ways.
—William Jones, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unexpected
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Then everything unfolded in unexpected ways.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Wolverine has upped its marketing game in recent years with unexpected collaborations and partnerships.
—Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
As new technological tools such as AI, cryptocurrency, and beyond continue to expand, how general consumers interact with the internet has evolved in unexpected ways.
—William Jones, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unexpected
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexpected
sudden
Adjective
-
Most aneurysms are symptom-free, but sudden severe headaches or vision changes can signal a life-threatening rupture.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Health,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unexpected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpected. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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