as in sudden
not expected
ran into some unanticipated difficulties with the computer program
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Recent Examples of unanticipated
The setbacks included a fuel leak and fire during a critical ground test, parachute problems, a redesign to accommodate unanticipated aerodynamic forces, and a computer timing error that cut short Starliner's first attempt to reach the space station in 2019.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
But despite an initial satisfactory emergency response, city leaders failed to meet the unanticipated recovery demands, leaving residents’ needs unmet, according to the audit.
—Jaelyn Rodriguez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
The state saved hundreds of millions of dollars with these measures, but the savings were largely offset by unanticipated cost increases elsewhere since the 2023 forecast.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
The work of the eclectic American futurist exerted a profound and unanticipated influence on China’s digital transformation since the 1980s.
—Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unanticipated
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
But despite an initial satisfactory emergency response, city leaders failed to meet the unanticipated recovery demands, leaving residents’ needs unmet, according to the audit.
—Jaelyn Rodriguez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
The state saved hundreds of millions of dollars with these measures, but the savings were largely offset by unanticipated cost increases elsewhere since the 2023 forecast.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
The work of the eclectic American futurist exerted a profound and unanticipated influence on China’s digital transformation since the 1980s.
—Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unanticipated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unanticipated
Adjective
-
While some seemed excited about Buck's sudden appearance, some speculated about the possibility of Stephanopoulos leaving the show.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
Then Kings of Leon and Black Keys come out of Nashville and then all of a sudden the diversity of the music that was coming out of there started to really grow over a short period of time.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
His unexpected cameo also served as a promotion for his Big3 basketball league, which is slated to play games at Heritage Bank Center on July 26, the last night of the Cincinnati Music Festival.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
27 July 2025
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Houser, meanwhile, continued his unexpected run, holding the Cubs scoreless for six innings before giving up a three-run homer to Reese McGuire in garbage time.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unanticipated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unanticipated. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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