unpredictable

adjective

un·​pre·​dict·​able ˌən-pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl How to pronounce unpredictable (audio)
: not predictable: such as
a
: not able to be known or declared in advance
unpredictable weather
b
: tending to behave in ways that cannot be predicted
an unpredictable boss
unpredictably adverb
changes that occur unpredictably
unpredictability noun
the unpredictability of the weather

Examples of unpredictable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Social work is about dynamic, unpredictable and utterly unique things — humans. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 On Friday, March 8, a pallet of used batteries from the International Space Station (ISS) re-entered Earth’s atmosphere over the Gulf of Mexico following an unpredictable journey through orbit. Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 But at unpredictable moments these injustices erupt into the open—and into our consciousness—through great upheavals, or wanton acts of violence. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 While impossible to completely uproot, the risk associated with unpredictable behavior can be proactively managed. François Candelon, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 The biggest threat from the system is unpredictable thunderstorms, which could bring heavy rain and flash flooding Wednesday afternoon and evening to some communities along the coast and valleys, according to Rose Schoenfeld, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Director: Imtiaz Ali Music: A. R. Rahman Cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Parineeti Chopra Do Patti Release Date: TBC Logline: The film is set to take viewers on a thrilling and unpredictable roller coaster ride, with the perfect puree of suspense, emotion and drama like never before. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Even then, the weather can be highly unpredictable and the environment changes throughout the season. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 The Garvey effect Garvey, 75, was an unpredictable force in the race. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unpredictable.' 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

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unpredictable was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near unpredictable

Cite this Entry

“Unpredictable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unpredictable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unpredictable

adjective
un·​pre·​dict·​able
ˌən-pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl
: not predictable
unpredictability
-ˌdik-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē
noun
unpredictably
-ˈdik-tə-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unpredictable

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