unforeseeable

adjective

un·​fore·​see·​able ˌən-fȯr-ˈsē-ə-bəl 

: not able to be reasonably anticipated or expected : not foreseeable

an unforeseeable event/problem

unforeseeably

ˌən-fȯr-ˈsē-ə-blē 

adverb

Examples of unforeseeable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The legal status of deities, priestly divinations, and the modern role of religion all come under debate in a remarkable story full of unforeseeable twists and turns. —Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 3 Dec. 2024

The unknown unknowns are the unforeseeable disruptors—events such as global crises, unexpected technological advances or market upheavals. —Ayo Adepoju, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

This book reminds readers that intellectuals are sometimes remembered simply for stating an ideal goal that, much later and for reasons unforeseeable by them, becomes reality. Loading... —Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2020

While the Fed has deliberately and successfully been extremely predictable over much of the past 15 years, chair Jerome Powell is now happy being opaque and unforeseeable. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

unforeseeable

adjective

un·​fore·​see·​able

ˌən-fōr-ˈsē-ə-bəl

: not capable of being reasonably anticipated or expected : such that a person of ordinary prudence would not expect to occur or exist under the circumstances

an unforeseeable misuse

an unforeseeable injury

unforeseeability

-ˌsē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun