1
as in accidental
happening by chance
an unplanned change in our itinerary—we got lost!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
stumbled through a completely unplanned acceptance speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 unplanned
Thousands of San Francisco residents were without power for part of Saturday due to another unplanned outage, just a week after a massive power outage left a third of the city in the dark.
—
Jose Fabian, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
During the match, between Neon’s longstanding character, the three-nosed alien Gorleenyah, and the ICE agent, performer Chiquitita took to the stage to speak unplanned after Ellery handed her the microphone.
—Elyssa Goodman, Them., 23 Dec. 2025
The closures also risk widespread shortages if any of the remaining six refineries in California experience unplanned outages caused by fires or other accidents.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Xcel officials said Friday a large number of the outages were tied to a public safety power shutoff, although the utility’s online outage map lists all of the power cuts as unplanned.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Jose Fabian, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
During the match, between Neon’s longstanding character, the three-nosed alien Gorleenyah, and the ICE agent, performer Chiquitita took to the stage to speak unplanned after Ellery handed her the microphone.
—Elyssa Goodman, Them., 23 Dec. 2025
The closures also risk widespread shortages if any of the remaining six refineries in California experience unplanned outages caused by fires or other accidents.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Xcel officials said Friday a large number of the outages were tied to a public safety power shutoff, although the utility’s online outage map lists all of the power cuts as unplanned.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unplanned
Adjective
-
Elvyn Yohel Ramos Routt County Investigators also said Ramos filed an insurance claim reporting the fire as accidental.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In another show, with a lesser writer, such incongruities could be read as character inconsistencies, accidental oversights, mistakes.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Organized by a slew of leading Japanese menswear companies, the event — now in its seventh iteration — is a city stroll-cum-impromptu-runway show of men decked out in full sartorial looks that has already taken place in Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul, among other cities.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Dreyer learned of the award on Friday, when SDFC’s players and staff surprised him with the trophy in an impromptu ceremony.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The whimsical cover introduces readers to Saffy and Lumo, two best friends whose devotion to their favorite foods leads to an unexpected, and very literal, transformation.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
While the ordeal was incredibly frustrating for Johnson, updates on his unusual guest have been an unexpected distraction and obsession for a community that has lost so much.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Mochrie then performs an improvised comedy act with the semi-conscious volunteers.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
-
This writing had an intimate, improvised feel and often took a looser approach to craft; much of it was written with performance in mind.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps those types of fluid, improvisational melodies could only be born from literally not being strapped in.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The band’s concerts have become a hallmark of improvisational energy that has attracted a devoted and eclectic fanbase.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unplanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unplanned. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share