as in suddenly
without warning
the snow started unexpectedly
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Recent Examples of unexpectedly
Expecting a change of pace, she is instead unexpectedly pulled into a murder investigation involving a female climate activist.
—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
3 July 2026
And suddenly, all those pages of analysis feel a lot like a MapQuest printout when the road is unexpectedly closed.
—
Jack O'Hara,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Fortunately, her mother was able to rebook the same hotel after the match, which eased some of the logistical issues for her unexpectedly extended stay in London.
—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Hiring had proven unexpectedly resilient in recent months, despite a rise in costs borne by businesses and shoppers.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
On the New Jersey artist’s debut album, a steady stream of screwball ideas coalesce into unexpectedly existential laptop twee gems.
—
Nick Ayres Demasi,
Pitchfork,
1 July 2026
The gas giant circles its star at an unexpectedly close distance—about 50 times nearer than the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
1 July 2026
An agreement or joint expense could shift unexpectedly, so be sure to confirm facts before charging forward.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
Many hijinks ensue, including a trip to Persia, a secret pregnancy, many threats to the life and chastity of the young couple, and a war in Egypt that unexpectedly solves everyone’s problems.
—
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
3 July 2026
And suddenly, all those pages of analysis feel a lot like a MapQuest printout when the road is unexpectedly closed.
—
Jack O'Hara,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Fortunately, her mother was able to rebook the same hotel after the match, which eased some of the logistical issues for her unexpectedly extended stay in London.
—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Hiring had proven unexpectedly resilient in recent months, despite a rise in costs borne by businesses and shoppers.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
On the New Jersey artist’s debut album, a steady stream of screwball ideas coalesce into unexpectedly existential laptop twee gems.
—
Nick Ayres Demasi,
Pitchfork,
1 July 2026
The gas giant circles its star at an unexpectedly close distance—about 50 times nearer than the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
1 July 2026
An agreement or joint expense could shift unexpectedly, so be sure to confirm facts before charging forward.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
Many hijinks ensue, including a trip to Persia, a secret pregnancy, many threats to the life and chastity of the young couple, and a war in Egypt that unexpectedly solves everyone’s problems.
—
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexpectedly
suddenly
Adverb
-
Not because a new appendix deserves a barnstorming tour, or because county unemployment data has suddenly become beach reading.
-
In some areas, the water may look shallow and calm yet drop off suddenly into deep pools.
Cite this Entry
“Unexpectedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpectedly. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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