as in suddenly
without warning
the snow started unexpectedly
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Recent Examples of unexpectedly
For a team that’s trying to lose for draft positioning lately, the Jazz deployed an unexpectedly competitive game plan.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
The Netflix show, about a group of Black Londoners who unexpectedly develop superpowers, has racked up hundreds of millions of hours following its launch in 2024.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
The comedic tale follows an ageing traditional fisherman in Ghana, Atta Oko Sackey, played by Ricky Adelayitar, who is unexpectedly forced into retirement, but finds his life upended by a talking fish.
—Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
As the Evergreen Lake Plunge was coming to an end, someone approximately 700 feet away unexpectedly fell through thin ice.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The condition came on quickly and unexpectedly with no specific trigger or event to explain the onset.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
Todd Sommer — 23-year-old married Marine who dies unexpectedly.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 2 Mar. 2026
Internally, a viewer may be challenged, affirmed or unexpectedly put at ease.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
As organizations begin trusting AI systems with more consequential decisions, experts say companies will need ways to quickly intervene when systems behave unexpectedly.
—Barbara Booth, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
The Netflix show, about a group of Black Londoners who unexpectedly develop superpowers, has racked up hundreds of millions of hours following its launch in 2024.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
The comedic tale follows an ageing traditional fisherman in Ghana, Atta Oko Sackey, played by Ricky Adelayitar, who is unexpectedly forced into retirement, but finds his life upended by a talking fish.
—Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
As the Evergreen Lake Plunge was coming to an end, someone approximately 700 feet away unexpectedly fell through thin ice.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The condition came on quickly and unexpectedly with no specific trigger or event to explain the onset.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
Todd Sommer — 23-year-old married Marine who dies unexpectedly.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 2 Mar. 2026
Internally, a viewer may be challenged, affirmed or unexpectedly put at ease.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
As organizations begin trusting AI systems with more consequential decisions, experts say companies will need ways to quickly intervene when systems behave unexpectedly.
—Barbara Booth, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexpectedly
suddenly
Adverb
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But suddenly, this season -- for a second time -- has been injected with a refreshing mix of optimism and intrigue.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
-
And Dailyn Swain is suddenly up to 10 points after a pull-up 3 off the dribble.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unexpectedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpectedly. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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