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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

In its unexpectedness, this was an apt introduction to the main act, Rennie Harris Puremovement dance troupe.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2023

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

You want splashes of unexpectedness and of trickery.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 1, 2016

Yet the very unexpectedness of Mama Oji’s words nagged her.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie