unplanned

adjective

un·​planned ˌən-ˈpland 

: not expected or intended : not planned

an unplanned detour

an unplanned pregnancy

Synonyms of unplanned

• accidental
• unexpected

Examples of unplanned in a Sentence

an unplanned change in our itinerary—we got lost!

stumbled through a completely unplanned acceptance speech

Recent Examples on the Web

However, unusually prolonged service in any position increases the possibility that illness, cognitive decline or death will lead to an unplanned and probably rocky transition. — Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026

Golden Gate Bridge fireworks show and the unplanned city-wide power outage in 2025. — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Those insights are particularly useful if your revenue fluctuates from month to month or if you’re hit with an unplanned expense. — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

That was an unplanned withdrawal spurred by the new Syrian government’s push against the United States' Syrian Kurdish partners. — Luis Martinez, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unplanned

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland