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
Since 1982 the home at the university, which is one of the most powerful cultural institutions in the right-wing evangelical movement, has housed women with unplanned pregnancies.
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 July 2025
In hybrid models, leaders often lose the unplanned opportunities for empathy, coaching and team cohesion.
—Alba Contreras Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
An unplanned work stoppage by employees at the Louvre in Paris caused the museum to close for several hours on the morning of June 16, as throngs of ticketed visitors waited outside in the blazing sun.
—News Desk, Artforum, 17 June 2025
By contrast, Israel’s unplanned war in Gaza has seen no such resolution and steadily devolved into a messianic power grab by Israel’s far right.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 July 2025
In hybrid models, leaders often lose the unplanned opportunities for empathy, coaching and team cohesion.
—Alba Contreras Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
An unplanned work stoppage by employees at the Louvre in Paris caused the museum to close for several hours on the morning of June 16, as throngs of ticketed visitors waited outside in the blazing sun.
—News Desk, Artforum, 17 June 2025
By contrast, Israel’s unplanned war in Gaza has seen no such resolution and steadily devolved into a messianic power grab by Israel’s far right.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unplanned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unplanned
Adjective
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The lawsuit also indicates the medical examiner initially ruled the deaths as accidental, but the manner of death was changed in January 2013 to homicide based on a jail informant's uncorroborated statement to police.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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Because many multivitamins contain these nutrients, check labels to avoid accidental overconsumption.—
Patricia Weiser,
Verywell Health,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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That week-long session became Dutch’s impromptu 2021 debut, Kindergarten.—
Leah Lu,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
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These impromptu moments are key to career development.—
Eric Johnson,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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His unexpected cameo also served as a promotion for his Big3 basketball league, which is slated to play games at Heritage Bank Center on July 26, the last night of the Cincinnati Music Festival.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
27 July 2025
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Houser, meanwhile, continued his unexpected run, holding the Cubs scoreless for six innings before giving up a three-run homer to Reese McGuire in garbage time.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unplanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unplanned. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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