Synonyms of unexpected

unexpected

adjective

ˌən-ik-ˈspek-təd 

as in sudden

not expected

the failure of the backup generator was unexpected and a contingency for which we weren't prepared

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sudden
• unanticipated
• unforeseen
• abrupt
• unlooked-for
• unlikely
• unplanned
• improbable
• surprising
• startling
• unintended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anticipated
• expected
• foreseen
• predicted
• unsurprising
• prophesied

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unexpected

Butler was not on the injury report for Monday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center (7:30 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Sun), with multiple league sources indicating that the Heat will make Butler available for the game barring something unexpected. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025

This development isn’t entirely unexpected, as Randy’s health has been a concern for the Mahomes family for some time. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 25 Jan. 2025

Crows rustle in Dylan Southern’s fiction feature debut, the haunting story of a middle-aged man coming to terms with the sudden and unexpected death of his wife, the mother of his two boys. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025

But something unexpected unfolded over the middle of the round. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025