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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.

Data released overnight showed U.S. retail sales were unexpectedly flat in December.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ford reported lower than anticipated fourth-quarter operating results Tuesday on an unexpectedly large tariff hit and lower vehicle volumes due to a supplier outage.

From Barron's

Retail sales in the US were unexpectedly flat during the December holidays, suggesting a pullback among consumers and raising questions about a broader economic slowdown.

From BBC

U.S. small-business confidence fell unexpectedly in January, with uncertainty on the rise as owners await a stronger economic revival.

From The Wall Street Journal

A bit flip occurs when a qubit unexpectedly switches between '0' and '1'.

From Science Daily

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.