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 Ghostbusters actress discussed a sketch that made SNL head honcho Lorne Michaels unexpectedly lose it during an interview with the Good One podcast.
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
When two unexpectedly return, the town dares to hope again.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Dowdle has been an unexpectedly-elite rusher through the first half of the 2025 NFL season.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
But at the same time, others are swinging open, sometimes unexpectedly.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Otherwise, mulch your peppers well, and be prepared to cover your plants with frost blankets or move potted peppers indoors if your forecast calls for unexpectedly cold weather.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
Fall is unexpectedly one of the hardest seasons to pack for.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Rucci’s journey into fashion began unexpectedly while studying philosophy and literature at Temple University.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
Early the following season, Muzzin unexpectedly bumped into Clayton Keller.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
When two unexpectedly return, the town dares to hope again.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Dowdle has been an unexpectedly-elite rusher through the first half of the 2025 NFL season.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
But at the same time, others are swinging open, sometimes unexpectedly.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Otherwise, mulch your peppers well, and be prepared to cover your plants with frost blankets or move potted peppers indoors if your forecast calls for unexpectedly cold weather.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
Fall is unexpectedly one of the hardest seasons to pack for.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Rucci’s journey into fashion began unexpectedly while studying philosophy and literature at Temple University.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
Early the following season, Muzzin unexpectedly bumped into Clayton Keller.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexpectedly
suddenly
Adverb
-
Not for nothing, Diaz said the album’s once-silly, punny title is suddenly not so hilarious.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Sadly, set-ups around this intense huis clos are often labored, with storylines that fizzle out and characters who become suddenly pivotal and then recede into the background.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unexpectedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpectedly. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share