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
For parents looking to stretch their budgets further, Christoforous highlighted the benefits of thrift shopping for school supplies, where shoppers can often find unexpected deals.
—
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
My hope is to behold something unexpected that might raise eyebrows or even provoke discomfort, offering visual suggestions that look beyond the comfortable horizon.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
In The Conjuring of America, Stewart finds the conjure woman’s influences in unexpected places.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
However, the soft feel of the fabric was an unexpected bonus that’s tough to capture in a photo.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unexpected
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
My hope is to behold something unexpected that might raise eyebrows or even provoke discomfort, offering visual suggestions that look beyond the comfortable horizon.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
In The Conjuring of America, Stewart finds the conjure woman’s influences in unexpected places.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
However, the soft feel of the fabric was an unexpected bonus that’s tough to capture in a photo.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unexpected
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexpected
sudden
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Unexpected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpected. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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