unexpected
adjective
un·ex·pect·ed
ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd 
: not expected : unforeseen
unexpectedly
adverb
unexpectedness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of unexpected in a Sentence
an unexpected turn of events
I'm sad that she's leaving, but it was not unexpected.
Recent Examples on the Web
There may be many unexpected effects of repeal that might require revision to plans and documents.
—
Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Trump's unexpected rejection of the Senate's plan stunned Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who had carefully structured the two-bill strategy to secure early wins for the White House.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Twelve days later, the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generation Station in Pennsylvania experienced the single worst nuclear meltdown on record in U.S. history, giving the film unexpected prescience.
—Keaton Bell, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2025
Even projects held up as success stories encounter unexpected problems with keeping highly volatile carbon dioxide in place underground.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unexpected 
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Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Trump's unexpected rejection of the Senate's plan stunned Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who had carefully structured the two-bill strategy to secure early wins for the White House.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Twelve days later, the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generation Station in Pennsylvania experienced the single worst nuclear meltdown on record in U.S. history, giving the film unexpected prescience.
—Keaton Bell, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2025
Even projects held up as success stories encounter unexpected problems with keeping highly volatile carbon dioxide in place underground.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unexpected
Dictionary Entries Near unexpected
Cite this Entry
“Unexpected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unexpected. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unexpected
adjective
un·ex·pect·ed
ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd
: not expected : unforeseen
an unexpected happening
unexpectedly
adverb
unexpectedness
noun
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