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What is another word for unexpected?

Need synonyms for unexpected? Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead.

Contexts ▼

Not expected, anticipated or foreseen

Happening by chance or without planning

Extraordinary in nature, especially in an unusual way

Unusual or out of the ordinary

Happening or done before the usual or expected time

Sudden, dramatic, and typically unexpected in nature

Lacking any obvious principle of organization

Done or performed without prior thought or preparation

Not likely to happen or to be done

Not requested or asked for

Showy, bold or audacious in behavior or appearance

… more ▼

Adjective

▲

Not expected, anticipated or foreseen

“I received an unexpected visit from my mother-in-law this afternoon.”

Adjective

▲

Happening by chance or without planning

occurring by accident

happening unexpectedly

beyond one's wildest dreams

at the mercy of events

more ❯

“Most of us dream of receiving an unexpected windfall, in the hope that it would allow us more financial freedom in our lives.”

Adjective

▲

Extraordinary in nature, especially in an unusual way

“She uses vivid colors and intricately detailed patterns to create unexpected optical illusions.”

Adjective

▲

Unusual or out of the ordinary

off-colour^UK

off-color^US

like nothing on earth

flakey^US

flaky^UK

never to be forgotten

previously unencountered

outside one's experience

marvellous^UK

marvelous^US

specialized^US

unequalled^UK

unrivaled^US

unrivalled^UK

unequaled^US

specialised^UK

in a league of its own

away with the fairies

not right in the head

customized^US

customised^UK

stupidly irresponsible

out of touch with reality

have bats in the belfry

out of one's head

not right upstairs

not quite right in the head

have kangaroos in the top paddock

mentally unbalanced

not the full shilling

have a screw loose

more ❯

Adjective

▲

Happening or done before the usual or expected time

Adjective

▲

Sudden, dramatic, and typically unexpected in nature

more ❯

Adjective

▲

Lacking any obvious principle of organization

unorganised^UK

unorganized^US

disheveled^US

dishevelled^UK

not functioning properly

snarled

snafu

mixed-up

more ❯

Adjective

▲

Done or performed without prior thought or preparation

off the top of your head

more ❯

Adjective

▲

Not likely to happen or to be done

Adjective

▲

Not requested or asked for

Adjective

▲

Showy, bold or audacious in behavior or appearance

carrying a lot of weight

more ❯

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Related Words and Phrases

unexpectedly

unexpectedness

What is another word for unexpected?

Need synonyms for unexpected? Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead.

Related Words and Phrases

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