1
as in accidental
happening by chance
an unplanned change in our itinerary—we got lost!
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
stumbled through a completely unplanned acceptance speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unplanned
Now that the bill of losing with no end in sight has come due, the club’s latest rebuilding era has arrived fitfully and — despite Rutherford’s suggestion on Wednesday that the club has been preparing for this moment for two or three years — it’s arrived largely unplanned for.
—
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Other customers may also experience unplanned power outages from the high winds, according to the utility.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The result of an unplanned pregnancy, born several years after her three older siblings, Janet had always felt disconnected from the momentum of her family.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
In December, one Starlink satellite experienced an unexpected malfunction and began an unplanned descent.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Other customers may also experience unplanned power outages from the high winds, according to the utility.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The result of an unplanned pregnancy, born several years after her three older siblings, Janet had always felt disconnected from the momentum of her family.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
In December, one Starlink satellite experienced an unexpected malfunction and began an unplanned descent.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unplanned
Adjective
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These pressures are not accidental.—
Steve Hershey,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Why This Moment Matters The timing of this shift isn’t accidental.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The second half of my 20s unveiled a new loneliness born from ending a 10-year relationship, an impromptu interstate move that took me from Brooklyn across the water to become the first in my bloodline to settle in New Jersey, and the existential weight of it all.—
Inés Anguiano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
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Frank Sinatra has burst into impromptu song in the bar, Michael Jackson offered to buy the hotel and Robbie Williams (who has a place nearby) is a regular in the restaurant.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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From familiar faces to unexpected challengers, here’s who’s running for Senate and Congress.—
Kurtcia Collazo,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
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His Penguins are making an unexpected romp toward the Stanley Cup playoffs in a season they were expected to finish near the bottom of the NHL standings.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Yet at just over three hours, and without a classic plotline, Dao can also be a patience-tester for those unwilling to groove to its improvised storytelling.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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Five minutes after half-time, Dominic Calvert-Lewin had the space to guide an improvised finish home with his chest, after Gruev was allowed far too much room to cross from the edge of the box.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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During various interviews last week, Minter talked about wanting to make things easier on Jackson, playing on schedule more and relying less on the quarterback’s improvisational skills to bail out the Ravens.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Thompson has explored visual art since moving to New Zealand, as well as starting an improvisational guitar-drums duo called Tondo.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unplanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unplanned. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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