as in suddenly
without warning
the snow started unexpectedly
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Recent Examples of unexpectedly
In a modern Danish farming family, the patriarch Gorm unexpectedly chooses to pass the family farm to his youngest daughter, Astrid, causing a deep rift.
—
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Not long afterward, in Iran, Ejection unexpectedly ran into the daughter-in-law of one of those former colleagues.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
But Javon died unexpectedly while on vacation.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
But Javon died unexpectedly while on vacation and never returned home.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
From rumor to reality Jordan founded 23XI Racing in 2020 with legendary driver and three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin — a partnership Hamlin says began with a rumor that unexpectedly turned into reality.
—Gayle King, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Employers unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs in February and added just 9,700 a month in 2025, the weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002.
—Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
His warning came after Tuesday’s special elections that saw Democrats, unexpectedly, flip two state legislative seats.
—Michael Van Sickler, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
Employers unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs in February and added just 9,700 a month in 2025, the weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Not long afterward, in Iran, Ejection unexpectedly ran into the daughter-in-law of one of those former colleagues.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
But Javon died unexpectedly while on vacation.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
But Javon died unexpectedly while on vacation and never returned home.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
From rumor to reality Jordan founded 23XI Racing in 2020 with legendary driver and three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin — a partnership Hamlin says began with a rumor that unexpectedly turned into reality.
—Gayle King, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Employers unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs in February and added just 9,700 a month in 2025, the weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002.
—Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
His warning came after Tuesday’s special elections that saw Democrats, unexpectedly, flip two state legislative seats.
—Michael Van Sickler, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
Employers unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs in February and added just 9,700 a month in 2025, the weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unexpectedly
suddenly
Adverb
-
Then 6-foot-11 Ruben Prey sank his fourth 3-pointer in four attempts, and suddenly the Red Storm were up 53-44.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Less so, the 2026 Grand Prix and actor (Ignacy Liss) win for Poland’s ‘Proud,’ about a young gay party animal suddenly forced to step up his game and take care of his sister’s baby.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unexpectedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unexpectedly. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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