Synonyms for

Unexpectedly

Verb / ˌʌnɪˈkspektɪdli: / Another word for unexpectedly — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

in a way that is not expected or anticipated

Synonyms & similar words

accidentally deliberately circumstantially outoftheblue bychance abruptly surprisingly suddenly unforeseen unanticipated astonishingly unannounced unpredictably unforeseeably unusually curiously oddly strangely weirdly peculiarly

Synonyms by register

Formal

unforeseenly unanticipatedly abruptly

Informal

out of the blue suddenly all of a sudden

Literary

unawares suddenly unlooked-for

Antonyms

expectedly predictably foreseeably customarily routinely ordinarily normally

Common collocations

  • happened unexpectedly
  • arrived unexpectedly
  • came unexpectedly
  • occurred unexpectedly
  • found unexpectedly
  • met unexpectedly
  • discovered unexpectedly

Word family

noun unexpectedness
adjective unexpected
adverb unexpectedly

Usage note

This adverb describes something that happens without warning or anticipation. It is generally neutral in tone and widely applicable in most contexts.

Example sentences

  1. The thunderstorm arrived unexpectedly.
  2. I unexpectedly ran into my friend at the store.
  3. The movie's ending was unexpectedly sad.
  4. The cake unexpectedly came out great.
  5. The team unexpectedly won the game.

Quotes

  • Life is full of surprises and and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. Just find your next adventure-do it well, enjoy it-and then, not now, think about what comes next.
  • Unexpected events can set you back or set you up-it's all a matter of perspective.
  • Life is short. Kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly. But, most importantly, live honestly and without regret. Life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about. So, keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.

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