Synonyms of unexpectedly

unexpectedly

adverb

as in suddenly

without warning

the snow started unexpectedly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suddenly
• abruptly
• unaware
• all of a sudden
• unawares
• aback
• off base
• unanticipatedly
• surprisingly
• short
• amazingly
• astoundingly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slowly
• sluggishly
• tardily
• leisurely
• obviously
• laggardly
• pokily

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unexpectedly

Aaron, who died unexpectedly in 2022 at age 34, appeared on season 9 of the series in 2009. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Step one at camp will be making the team, but the burning question after that is whether any of them could take an unexpectedly big leap and find themselves in a prominent role higher in the lineup by the end of the season. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Anything unexpectedly or especially moving, rousing, funny or strange, things that go against the grain of a production that wants to keep things controlled in order to bring the ship in on time. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

This disposition that will serve the character well in the valleys of despair the story will soon unexpectedly plunge her into. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026

While ascending several kilometers, his instruments found radiation levels unexpectedly kept rising. — Jesse Liu, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Its bureaucratic process and institutional lethargy are proving, unexpectedly, to be an asset in an age of instability. — Jonas Nahm, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

And the tech founder’s wealth surge largely comes from his legacy business unexpectedly rising as an AI frontrunner. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026

Possible Love follows two married couples from opposite ends of Korea’s class divide whose lives become unexpectedly intertwined. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026