as in intermittently
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Recent Examples of unpredictably
During perimenopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate unpredictably and gradually decline.
—
Cathy Nelson, Health, 29 Apr. 2026
Although flu seasons can vary in disease severity, the virus mutates so unpredictably that pandemic flu seasons – like those in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009 – are a recurring possibility.
—Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026
Tariff rates shifted so unpredictably for so long that companies are still struggling to build stable, long-term supply chains.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Because this form of cancer can metastasize so quickly and unpredictably, the only surefire method of prevention is a complete removal of the stomach, or total gastrectomy.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Wet, frozen branches can snap unpredictably when under pressure and jagged edges cut through lightweight work gloves.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
In dysfunctional families, conflict often arises unpredictably, says O’Callaghan.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
Vancouver remains intent on concluding some additional business before the deadline passes, although this market has been late developing and has evolved unpredictably.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
When confronted with construction zones, school buses, power outages, or misbehaving pedestrians, these vehicles often behave unpredictably, leading to crashes or freezing events, causing significant disruption to local traffic and possibly blocking first responders from doing their jobs.
—Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026
Cathy Nelson, Health, 29 Apr. 2026
Although flu seasons can vary in disease severity, the virus mutates so unpredictably that pandemic flu seasons – like those in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009 – are a recurring possibility.
—Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026
Tariff rates shifted so unpredictably for so long that companies are still struggling to build stable, long-term supply chains.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Because this form of cancer can metastasize so quickly and unpredictably, the only surefire method of prevention is a complete removal of the stomach, or total gastrectomy.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Wet, frozen branches can snap unpredictably when under pressure and jagged edges cut through lightweight work gloves.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
In dysfunctional families, conflict often arises unpredictably, says O’Callaghan.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
Vancouver remains intent on concluding some additional business before the deadline passes, although this market has been late developing and has evolved unpredictably.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
When confronted with construction zones, school buses, power outages, or misbehaving pedestrians, these vehicles often behave unpredictably, leading to crashes or freezing events, causing significant disruption to local traffic and possibly blocking first responders from doing their jobs.
—Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpredictably
Adverb
-
In Caveat, Isaac (Johnny French) and Olga (Leila Sykes) are both recovering from traumatic events that have left them impaired — him an amnesiac, her intermittently catatonic.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
The 73-year-old Weinstein kept his eyes trained on Mann throughout her Tuesday testimony, intermittently whispering to his attorney, Teny Geragos.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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That’s Duncan’s dilemma from the very beginning of this fitfully hilarious episode of The Audacity.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The filmmaker shows a strong handle over the film’s fanciful tone and fitfully filthy sense of humor, and he’s credited with composing the film’s score full of squawking brass instruments and skittish strings in addition to writing, directing and editing.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Davidson, 54, became the subject of numerous documentaries, and in 2019, made headlines for unintentionally swearing at Queen Elizabeth II while receiving an award for his advocacy work.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Bubbles Didn’t Enter The Picture That Early In one of the moist unintentionally hilarious moments in the movie, Michael shocks his family by adopting a CGI baby chimpanzee named Bubbles sometime around 1979.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
At university, Karp focused his research on how people unconsciously transfer aggression through language.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
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In presenting the Best Actor winners, Adrien Brody perfectly, if perhaps unconsciously, echoed Johnson’s remarks from more than 50 years earlier.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Typical scenarios include people who have been camping or hiking in remote areas and were inadvertently in contact with these feces or urine.—
Melissa Rudy , Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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This question inadvertently shows that we are stuck in a mindset that the duopoly of Republicans and Democrats is the only way to organize our many different political opinions.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Adverb
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When Charlie accidentally concusses himself and forgets their whole night together, Nora enlists the help of best friend and party animal Hailey to painstakingly recreate the same bash, beat by unhinged beat, to win him over again.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
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For 25 years now, whenever ailing sea turtles are stranded and rescued from regional waters (caught in netting, injured by a boat prop or shark attack, accidentally hooked by a fisherman, or stunned by a cold front), they are brought here for care, recuperation, and a second chance at life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Adverb
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The game ran poorly, crashed regularly, looked unremarkable, and drove disjointedly.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Some folks in the band’s organization initially wanted to partner with a big beer company, but fortuitously, somebody countered idea with Dogfish Head.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2026
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Sixty years ago, the home opener happened to fortuitously fall during spring break.—
Raymond Daniel Burke,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unpredictably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpredictably. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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