as in suddenly
without warning
the snow started unexpectedly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unexpectedly
The album sometimes does fit that description—especially on the relatively strong, if unexpectedly downcast, opening three songs.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
The new Fair Oaks restaurant and an upcoming Roseville eatery are housed in units formerly filled by Chando’s Tacos — which shut down unexpectedly in July — with two other restaurants slated for Davis and Elk Grove.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The athletic apparel maker beat Wall Street's expectations on both lines and unexpectedly posted sales growth compared with the prior year.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
The team went to the Eastern Conference finals last season after unexpectedly knocking off the defending world champion Boston Celtics in the second round before falling to the Indiana Pacers.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
In April, more than 4,700 international students across the country had their immigration status revoked before it was unexpectedly restored weeks later.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2025
Buena Park labor leader Andrea Zinder, a 42-year veteran of the United Food and Commercial Workers union in Los Angeles and Orange counties and who led tough negotiations with major supermarket chains in Southern California for decades, died unexpectedly last week.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers (+1600) lost unexpectedly to the New York Giants in rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s debut.
—Scott Phillips, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In a video captured by eyewitness Sylvester Ramirez, the ride — most commonly known as the Zipper — appears to stop and jolt unexpectedly.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
The new Fair Oaks restaurant and an upcoming Roseville eatery are housed in units formerly filled by Chando’s Tacos — which shut down unexpectedly in July — with two other restaurants slated for Davis and Elk Grove.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The athletic apparel maker beat Wall Street's expectations on both lines and unexpectedly posted sales growth compared with the prior year.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
The team went to the Eastern Conference finals last season after unexpectedly knocking off the defending world champion Boston Celtics in the second round before falling to the Indiana Pacers.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
In April, more than 4,700 international students across the country had their immigration status revoked before it was unexpectedly restored weeks later.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2025
Buena Park labor leader Andrea Zinder, a 42-year veteran of the United Food and Commercial Workers union in Los Angeles and Orange counties and who led tough negotiations with major supermarket chains in Southern California for decades, died unexpectedly last week.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers (+1600) lost unexpectedly to the New York Giants in rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s debut.
—Scott Phillips, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In a video captured by eyewitness Sylvester Ramirez, the ride — most commonly known as the Zipper — appears to stop and jolt unexpectedly.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexpectedly
suddenly
Adverb
-
Bob, avoiding the white savior trope, is not some paragon who has all the answers and has suddenly rekindled his passion for being a revolutionary leader.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And Bonitto planted suddenly, spinning back inside and leaving Mims in the dust to sack Browning.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unexpectedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpectedly. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share