as in suddenly
without warning
the snow started unexpectedly
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Recent Examples of unexpectedly
In one of those, a group of young Israeli soldiers accost Salim and Noor after the military unexpectedly pushes up the Palestinians’ curfew.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Eastern Idaho is where an infant, Onyxx Cooley, died suddenly and unexpectedly in February 2024.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
What came out was the stuff of nightmares — and unexpectedly, one of the most entertaining videos the internet has seen in a while.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Blazek takes over for Shawn Clark, who passed away unexpectedly last September.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
People who were unexpectedly called to help with recovery operations, like McQueeney, played a key role in capturing the aftermath.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
There was mutual interest between Charlotte and Kowalczyk after Sanchez unexpectedly stepped down ahead of the 2023-24 season, as the two met for a virtual interview, but nothing ever materialized.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2026
Świątek may benefit from an unexpectedly long break before the clay-court season, which is scheduled to begin for her at the Stuttgart Open in Germany in mid-April.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Jamie Blanks, the Australian filmmaker and composer, died unexpectedly Monday, according to his family.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Eastern Idaho is where an infant, Onyxx Cooley, died suddenly and unexpectedly in February 2024.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
What came out was the stuff of nightmares — and unexpectedly, one of the most entertaining videos the internet has seen in a while.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Blazek takes over for Shawn Clark, who passed away unexpectedly last September.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
People who were unexpectedly called to help with recovery operations, like McQueeney, played a key role in capturing the aftermath.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
There was mutual interest between Charlotte and Kowalczyk after Sanchez unexpectedly stepped down ahead of the 2023-24 season, as the two met for a virtual interview, but nothing ever materialized.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2026
Świątek may benefit from an unexpectedly long break before the clay-court season, which is scheduled to begin for her at the Stuttgart Open in Germany in mid-April.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Jamie Blanks, the Australian filmmaker and composer, died unexpectedly Monday, according to his family.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexpectedly
suddenly
Adverb
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Then 6-foot-11 Ruben Prey sank his fourth 3-pointer in four attempts, and suddenly the Red Storm were up 53-44.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Less so, the 2026 Grand Prix and actor (Ignacy Liss) win for Poland’s ‘Proud,’ about a young gay party animal suddenly forced to step up his game and take care of his sister’s baby.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unexpectedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpectedly. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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