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unexpected definition

un·ex·pected (-ek spek′tid)

adjective

not expected; unforeseen

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

unexpected Synonyms

unexpected

modif.

unforeseen, surprising, unlooked for, accidental, fortuitous, sudden, startling, unheralded, unpredicted, coming unaware, astonishing, staggering, stunning, electrifying, amazing, not in the cards, not on the books, past conjecture, unanticipated, not bargained for, uncontemplated, wonderful, prodigious, coming without previous intimation, unprepared for, instantaneous, eye-opening, like a bolt from the blue*.

Antonyms expected*, predicted, foreseen.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

unexpected Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • place: And we begin to see a new way, a resurrection life springing up in the most unexpected of places.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • discover: As you might have noted by now, it is usual to discover something unexpected when things seem to be becoming a bit routine.

Modifies a noun

  • twist: The writing is sharp and the plot full of unexpected twists and turns.

Modifying Another Word

  • totally: From there my life took a totally unexpected turn from which, I believe, I will never turn back.

Used with adjective complement

  • have: But it has unexpected, unintended and frequently unexamined powers to do other things which could undermine a free state in many ways.
unexpected usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

unexpected quotes

If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it; for it is hard to be sought out, and difficult.

-Heraclitus   fl.500

unexpected quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"unexpected." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/unexpected>

APA Style

unexpected. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/unexpected

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