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
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Recent Examples of unplanned
More than 30 years later, the pair watched the movie together unplanned in 2020.
—
Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
While the prospect of economic opportunities is bringing hope, the impacts of unplanned urban growth in a city with already poor infrastructure are being felt.
—Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Their plane, which departed from London, England, and was headed to Houston, Texas, had an unplanned landing in Newfoundland on Tuesday, March 31, due to a health emergency.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
There’s no guarantee this unplanned expansion will continue into 2027, McAlear told us.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
While the prospect of economic opportunities is bringing hope, the impacts of unplanned urban growth in a city with already poor infrastructure are being felt.
—Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Their plane, which departed from London, England, and was headed to Houston, Texas, had an unplanned landing in Newfoundland on Tuesday, March 31, due to a health emergency.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
There’s no guarantee this unplanned expansion will continue into 2027, McAlear told us.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unplanned
Adjective
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Gilbert's remains were found in December 2011 -- her death is later ruled as an accidental drowning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The light, water-resistant fabric keeps clothes safe from accidental spills and can bear the hard wear of travel days.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Still, Gordy’s mansion in Detroit’s Boston-Edison district remained a home base, the spot for family gatherings and — in the lower-level ballroom — the site of impromptu artist performances witnessed by Terry and her cousins.—
Brian McCollum,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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The relaxed-fit camp shirt teams perfectly with wide-leg pants, and both are crafted from breezy linen that’s ideal for long days of sightseeing or impromptu café stops.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Diesel’s denim tights and Acne Studio’s all-in-one boot pants deliver a touch of surrealism, while key silhouettes include short shorts, miniskirts and jeans with unexpected openings and cutouts.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
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The tech support emergency script This scam often begins with a pop-up warning or an unexpected phone call.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And the group’s most recent album, 2025’s Live in Amsterdam, showcases the kind of spontaneous improvised moments, including Peters’ bass solos, that set GoldFish apart from many dance acts with more strictly electronic sounds.—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
8 Apr. 2026
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In Russia and Ukraine, soldiers have learned to protect their tanks from drone strikes using improvised nets and boxes, which cover the vehicles like a turtle shell.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Their improvisational morning menu will draw from the cuisine of Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte and the Indigenous cooking of Martinez’s Zapotec culture.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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In the BeatLabs area on Level 4, guests can make their own songs at a digital mixing board, and in the Level 2 Garage, small groups can play guitars, keyboards, and drums, following the onscreen prompts or staging their own improvisational jam sessions.—
Paul J. Heney,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unplanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unplanned. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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