Synonyms of unexpectedly

unexpectedly

adverb

as in suddenly

without warning

the snow started unexpectedly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suddenly
• abruptly
• unaware
• all of a sudden
• unawares
• aback
• off base
• unanticipatedly
• surprisingly
• short
• amazingly
• astoundingly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slowly
• sluggishly
• tardily
• leisurely
• obviously
• laggardly
• pokily

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unexpectedly

The finale opened with a celebration of life for Crown & Anchor owner Mae (Annette Badland,), who died unexpectedly while supporting the Lady Greyhounds in episode nine. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

When Hanne, a staff member of a struggling animal rescue, unexpectedly becomes executor of a wealthy hunting family’s estate, a bitter battle over the inheritance erupts. — Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Johnson was unexpectedly listed as inactive for the Eagles' home game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

The Senate is also now in play, with Republicans locked in unexpectedly tight races across the country amid voter ire over prices and the economy. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

In politics, large forces build up over time, but specific events can arrive suddenly and unexpectedly. — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

The district also wanted to preserve enough capacity to accommodate future enrollment growth if enrollment unexpectedly increases. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Suzuki saw Kreider in the middle and assumed Kreider would drive the net, so Suzuki put a puck there on his backhand, somewhat unexpectedly. — Arpon Basu, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

For a writer so given to cultural reference, intellectual genealogy, and various explanatory apparatuses, this failure of language is unexpectedly liberating to read. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026