unanticipated
adjective
un·an·tic·i·pat·ed
ˌən-an-ˈti-sə-ˌpā-təd 
: not anticipated : unexpected, unforeseen
unanticipatedly
adverb
Examples of unanticipated in a Sentence
The new policy has had some unanticipated side effects.
ran into some unanticipated difficulties with the computer program
Recent Examples on the Web
But a key concern is whether such an arrangement would over time or in an unanticipated contingency force the United States to commit to a significant and problematic military presence.
—
Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
But in a world without providential design, chances, unanticipated opportunities, tend to be for atheists.
—Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Turns out, there’s at least one squirrel in my neighborhood that either has a very high pain tolerance or, quite possibly, is a biologically unanticipated hybrid between a house sparrow and a Kentucky squirrel!
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 12 Jan. 2024
For his part, Goggins says he’s begun approaching his career differently since COVID forced him (and everyone) to take an unanticipated break.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024
Anxiety over commercial real estate ratcheted up last month when New York Community Bank disclosed unanticipated losses on real estate loans that were tied to office and apartment buildings, sending its stock plunging.
—Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, an unanticipated, if admirable, high level of conservation over the years left San Diego with a surplus of expensive water.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024
As Colman searches for a murderer and Lorna searches for her daughter, their paths collide in unanticipated ways.
—EW.com, 4 Jan. 2024
Hill’s research exemplifies the phenomenon of unanticipated consequences that often afflicts political actions.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 1 Jan. 2024
Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
But in a world without providential design, chances, unanticipated opportunities, tend to be for atheists.
—Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Turns out, there’s at least one squirrel in my neighborhood that either has a very high pain tolerance or, quite possibly, is a biologically unanticipated hybrid between a house sparrow and a Kentucky squirrel!
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 12 Jan. 2024
For his part, Goggins says he’s begun approaching his career differently since COVID forced him (and everyone) to take an unanticipated break.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024
Anxiety over commercial real estate ratcheted up last month when New York Community Bank disclosed unanticipated losses on real estate loans that were tied to office and apartment buildings, sending its stock plunging.
—Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, an unanticipated, if admirable, high level of conservation over the years left San Diego with a surplus of expensive water.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024
As Colman searches for a murderer and Lorna searches for her daughter, their paths collide in unanticipated ways.
—EW.com, 4 Jan. 2024
Hill’s research exemplifies the phenomenon of unanticipated consequences that often afflicts political actions.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 1 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unanticipated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1779, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near unanticipated
Cite this Entry
“Unanticipated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unanticipated. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on unanticipated
Nglish: Translation of unanticipated for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of unanticipated for Arabic Speakers
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