Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for unexpectedness. Search instead for neglectednesses.

unexpectedness

American  
[uhn-ik-spekt-id-nis] / ˌʌn ɪkˈspɛkt ɪd nɪs /

noun

  1. the quality of something that one does not expect or foresee; surprise or suddenness.


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.

One quality Sheen’s truth-blitz has in its favor, besides its unexpectedness, is Sheen’s relative absence for most of the past decade.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2025

Many cite the loss of typical end-of-life rituals for their continual grieving; some struggle because of the unexpectedness and seeming unfairness of the coronavirus.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2021

That’s the unexpectedness of “Dave,” a breakout hit of the coronavirus pandemic when people wanted — needed — to find a reason to laugh in 2020.

From Washington Post • Jun. 9, 2021

“It’s very traumatic because of the unexpectedness of it,” said Jennifer Law, whose husband, Matthew, died of the coronavirus in Texas in November, years after serving in the Army in Iraq.

From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2020

I was still rattled from seeing Mom, the unexpectedness of coming across her, the sight of her rooting happily through the Dumpster.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "unexpectedness" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com