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Definitions

unanticipated

ADJECTIVE
abrupt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hasty hurried precipitous quick sudden surprising unexpected unforeseen
WEAK
jerky precipitate rushing unceremonious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
expected lazy slow
WEAK
at ease calm deliberate expansive gradual kind leisurely nice
ADJECTIVE
contingent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
unforeseen
STRONG
accidental chance dependent incidental probable
WEAK
casual controlled by fluky fortuitous haphazard likely odd probably random subject to uncertain unexpected unforeseeable unpredictable
Antonyms
STRONG
designed essential planned
WEAK
certain definite real sure truthful unconditional
ADJECTIVE
precipitant
Synonyms
STRONG
jerky precipitate quick rushing
WEAK
hasty hurried precipitous sudden surprising unceremonious unexpected unforeseen
ADJECTIVE
precipitous/precipitate
Synonyms
WEAK
abrupt breakneck brief frantic gone off half-cocked harum-scarum hasty headlong heedless hurried ill-advised impatient impetuous indiscreet jump the gun madcap off the hip off the top of head plunging precipitant quick rapid rash reckless refractory rushing subitaneous swift uncontrolled unexpected unforeseen violent willful without warning
Antonyms
WEAK
careful cautious slow
ADJECTIVE
premature
Synonyms
STRONGEST
immature incomplete untimely
WEAK
a bit previous abortive early on embryonic forward green inopportune overearly oversoon precipitate predeveloped previous raw soon undeveloped unfledged unripe
Antonyms
WEAK
backward careful cautious delayed late mature overdue prepared slow
ADJECTIVE
surprising
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amazing astonishing extraordinary remarkable shocking startling stunning sudden unforeseen unpredictable wonderful
STRONG
chance electrifying
WEAK
accidental fortuitous from left field impulsive out of the blue unpredicted without warning
Antonyms
STRONGEST
expected normal ordinary predictable usual
ADJECTIVE
unannounced
Synonyms
STRONGEST
undisclosed unheralded unpublished
WEAK
surprise withheld
Antonyms
WEAK
announced
ADJECTIVE
undreamed-of
Synonyms
WEAK
inconceivable surprising undreamt-of unexpected unforeseen unimagined
ADJECTIVE
unexpected
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abrupt accidental amazing astonishing fortuitous startling stunning sudden swift unforeseen unpredictable wonderful
WEAK
chance electrifying eye-opening from left field impetuous impulsive instantaneous not bargained for not in the cards out of the blue payback prodigious staggering unheralded unlooked-for unpredicted
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deliberate designed expected intentional planned predictable slow
ADJECTIVE
unforeseen
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abrupt startling sudden unexpected
WEAK
accidental from left field not bargained for out of the blue surprise uncalculated unlooked-for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
expected
WEAK
foreseen predictable predicted
ADJECTIVE
unheralded
Synonyms
WEAK
unannounced unpredicted without warning
Antonyms
WEAK
announced celebrated expected glorified predicted recognized
ADVERB
out of the blue
Synonyms
WEAK
not predicted surprising unexpected unforeseen unplanned unprepared for

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many last longer than expected, as their strategies and goals evolve in response to the enemy’s unanticipated capabilities and resilience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Retirement brings time, and that additional time can trigger unanticipated expenses.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

Similarly, with Glasner, while his announcement on Friday was unexpected, the fact he has decided to leave Selhurst Park is far from unanticipated.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

Meanwhile, Cal-Maine and other egg producers are the targets of lawsuits filed in federal court in Indiana, alleging price-fixing External link in response to HPAI—an unanticipated disease-related risk.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

He did touch people’s lives, the lives of strangers, in an entirely unanticipated way.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt