unforeseen

adjective

un·​fore·​seen ˌən-fȯr-ˈsēn 

: not anticipated or expected : not foreseen : unexpected

an unforeseen delay

unforeseen consequences

Synonyms of unforeseen

• sudden
• unexpected

Examples of unforeseen in a Sentence

there are almost always unforeseen consequences for any major endeavor

unforeseen problems delayed the project beyond its deadline

Recent Examples on the Web

Defenders of the emergency fees, which can be levied by HOA boards to address health and safety hazards or unforeseen expenses, say that long-standing infrastructure issues must be addressed, even if residents don’t like the price tag. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

With a concept that is like a twisted version of The Parent Trap, director Trudie Styler‘s sly comedy with drama shows what happens when the messy unforeseen circumstances of life and death interrupt a nasty divorce. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

Services must keep running despite delays, connectivity failures, hardware problems and other unforeseen events such as severe weather. — Miroslav Katsarov, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Fate can also take a hand, with unforeseen developments bolstering one combatant’s negotiating position. — John R. Bolton, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unforeseen

• acetylene
• adamantine
• adenosine
• amphetamine
• anthropocene
• apoprotein
• aquamarine
• arsphenamine
• azobenzene
• buprenorphine
• catecholamine
• chlorobenzene