Dictionary.com

Popular Searches

 Thesaurus.com
Showing results for unexpectedly. Search instead for Unexpectedli.
Synonyms

unexpectedly

American  
[uhn-ik-spek-tid-lee] / ˌʌn ɪkˈspɛk tɪd li /

adverb

  1. in a way that is surprising or unforeseen.

    One of her friends passed away unexpectedly this week.

Etymology

Origin of unexpectedly

unexpected ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These earnings beats appear to be more of a surprise, and because investors tend to cling to their prior beliefs, they underreact to the unexpectedly good news.

From Barron's

Happily, that becomes clear as this conversation morphs into a four-hour epic, rich with unexpectedly heartfelt and humorous detours.

From BBC

Perhaps more unexpectedly, some of her financial strains have also started to ease.

From BBC

UK government borrowing rose unexpectedly to £14.3bn in February to the second highest level for that month since records began, official figures show.

From BBC

Figures published last week showed economic growth unexpectedly stalling in January.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.