unanticipated

adjective

un·​an·​tic·​i·​pat·​ed ˌən-an-ˈti-sə-ˌpā-təd How to pronounce unanticipated (audio)
: not anticipated : unexpected, unforeseen
unanticipatedly adverb

Examples of unanticipated in a Sentence

The new policy has had some unanticipated side effects. ran into some unanticipated difficulties with the computer program
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Voyager probes’ future As the Voyager probes age, the mission’s engineers have become increasingly creative in solving unanticipated problems, including communication blackouts and other glitches, across vast cosmic distances. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025 The pathologies of bureaucracy that are attacked by Musk and ridiculed by popular parodies were warned of by sociologist Robert K. Merton, in 1936, as unanticipated negative consequences. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025 The missed projection was the result of state reversions and unanticipated growth of services for aging and disabled residents. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 Starting with the utterly unanticipated 11-game winning streak to come, which included the franchise’s first postseason victory in 22 years (a 30-0 win in Houston) before losing 27-20 at New England in the AFC Divisional Round. Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unanticipated

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1779, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unanticipated was circa 1779

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Cite this Entry

“Unanticipated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unanticipated. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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