unexpected

adjective

un·​ex·​pect·​ed ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd How to pronounce unexpected (audio)
: not expected : unforeseen
unexpectedly adverb
unexpectedness noun

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 In both places, U.S. service members said their missions were unexpected, changing as the White House has moved rapidly to contain wider fallout from the Israel-Gaza war. Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 And in my experience, often the places people really love have dirty lines, surprises, and unexpected things. Rob Reddick, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2024 Her Instagram post comes on the heels of brother Garrison Brown’s unexpected death at 25. Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 What's happening with Kahan, Bryan and Rodrigo is more unexpected. Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 Over time, both spacecraft have encountered unexpected issues and dropouts, including a seven-month period in 2020 when Voyager 2 couldn’t communicate with Earth. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The move was not unexpected as the team faced a 1 p.m. deadline to become cap compliant. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Elsewhere, subtle and unexpected embellishment came in the form of fringe on aprons or necklaces and even hats. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Price stars as Prospero, a callous prince who throws a masked ball while a plague rages just outside his castle — but then an unexpected guest arrives to spoil the party. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unexpected.' 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 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unexpected was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near unexpected

Cite this Entry

“Unexpected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unexpected. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unexpected

adjective
un·​ex·​pect·​ed ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd How to pronounce unexpected (audio)
: not expected : unforeseen
an unexpected happening
unexpectedly adverb
unexpectedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unexpected

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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