as in sudden
not expected
the failure of the backup generator was unexpected and a contingency for which we weren't prepared
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Recent Examples of unexpected
Silk blend mules are just delicate enough to be unexpected but still wonderfully balanced.
—
Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
Julian Harrison from Premier Tours has an unexpected recommendation beyond that telephoto DSLR.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
One of the biggest (and unexpected) hits this year are these Valentine’s Day plushies from CVS that look like total Squishmallow knockoffs.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 7 Feb. 2025
While Prince William, 42, had already been scheduled to attend in honor of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, Princess Kate’s inclusion marks a significant and unexpected addition.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unexpected 
Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
Julian Harrison from Premier Tours has an unexpected recommendation beyond that telephoto DSLR.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
One of the biggest (and unexpected) hits this year are these Valentine’s Day plushies from CVS that look like total Squishmallow knockoffs.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 7 Feb. 2025
While Prince William, 42, had already been scheduled to attend in honor of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, Princess Kate’s inclusion marks a significant and unexpected addition.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unexpected
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Cite this Entry
“Unexpected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpected. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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