unplanned

adjective

ˌən-ˈpland How to pronounce unplanned (audio)
Definition of unplannednext
1
as in accidental
happening by chance an unplanned change in our itinerary—we got lost!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 One study found that up to 75% of pregnancies among women in their 40s are unplanned. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 July 2026 Baby Boomers, who make unplanned buys, too, only overspend by $133. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 14 July 2026 And Comanche 3 has experienced more than 40 unplanned outages due to mechanical issues; the most recent one has lasted about a year. — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 Judd Apatow’s hit 2007 comedy about an unplanned pregnancy leading to unexpected romance almost had a different leading lady. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unplanned
  1. accidental
  2. impromptu
  3. unexpected
  4. improvised
  5. improvisational
Adjective
  • Researchers think that most bites are accidental; great white sharks mistake people for seals or sea lions.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Lioness actress Laysla De Oliveira has become somewhat of an accidental action star.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • Spelling noted that Swank returned from an impromptu meeting with show producer Paul Waigner.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026
  • Hansard was also the organizer behind what became known as the Christmas Eve Busk, impromptu performances on Grafton Street in Dublin to raise money for the homeless community.
    — Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of impromptu
Adjective
  • She’s gone for unexpected pairings and silhouettes, including a blazer with satin short shorts, voluminous detached sleeves, and a chainmail-like armor made breezy through fringe.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Compressed color values—in contrast to the wide modulations in tone that Cassatt allowed elsewhere—heighten the sense of mass, while unexpected bright blue outlines seal their contours.
    — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of unexpected
Adjective
  • Likewise, the respite afforded by the twin hydration breaks has also reduced the need for improvised periods of gentlemanly repose, which in turn has lessened the demand for the chilly spray.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026
  • Outside hospitals, temporary shelters and improvised morgues, relatives continue posting photographs and names of missing family members on social media, hoping someone might recognize them or provide information about their fate.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of improvised
Adjective
  • This reflects the improvisational attitude that Pan, who has released several albums, first developed as a genre-defying musician and composer.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 31 July 2026
  • Kiesler and his heirs envisioned architecture that would make the arts more available, provisional, improvisational, democratic, and participatory, more playful and less aloof.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
Definition of improvisational

Browse Nearby Words

unperturbed
unplanned
unplausible
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unplanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unplanned. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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