Unexpectedly: meaning, definitions and examples

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unexpectedly

[ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪdli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a surprising manner

In a way that is not expected or anticipated.

Synonyms

abruptly, suddenly, surprisingly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unexpectedly	Used when something occurs without prior notice or prediction, often neutral or slightly positive. The meeting was unexpectedly canceled. Their friends unexpectedly arrived with gifts.
surprisingly	Used when something occurs in a way that is unexpected and causes surprise, often positive or neutral. Surprisingly, she finished the marathon in record time. The food was surprisingly good.
abruptly	Used when something happens quickly and without warning, often with a feeling of rudeness or suddenness. She abruptly left the room in the middle of the discussion. The car came to an abrupt stop.
suddenly	Used when something happens quickly and without prior warning, generally neutral but can lean negative. Suddenly, the lights went out. He suddenly realized he had forgotten his keys.

Examples of usage

She arrived unexpectedly early for the meeting.
The news came unexpectedly and left everyone in shock.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

in an unanticipated manner

Without warning or preparation.

Synonyms

unforeseeably, unforeseen, unpredicted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unexpectedly	Used when something happens without a previous warning or anticipation. Common in everyday situations. She arrived unexpectedly at the party The meeting ended unexpectedly early
unforeseen	Used to describe events or consequences that were not anticipated, often in planning or problem-solving contexts. The project faced unforeseen challenges They had to deal with unforeseen circumstances
unpredicted	Used to describe events specifically once thought to be calculated or forecasted by models or experts but did not occur as anticipated. The storm was unpredicted by the meteorologists There were unpredicted economic shocks
unforeseeably	Used when something happens in a manner that could not have been predicted, often in legal or formal contexts. The event was unforeseeably canceled due to regulatory changes He was unforeseeably affected by the new policy

Examples of usage

The storm hit unexpectedly and caused widespread damage.
He made an unexpectedly generous donation to the charity.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not', and 'expected', which is from Latin roots meaning 'to look out for'.
It first appeared in English texts around the late 17th century, showing how language evolves over time.
The base word 'expect' carries the sense of waiting for something to happen, highlighting the surprise in its unexpected form.

Psychology

Surprises can trigger the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, which makes us feel happy.
Unexpected events can lead to cognitive dissonance, where our beliefs are challenged by new information.
Anticipation plays a crucial role in our emotional responses; the unexpected often heightens our excitement or anxiety.

Literature

Authors often use unexpected twists in stories to keep readers engaged and on their toes.
In poetry, an unexpected choice of words can create strong imagery and provoke deeper thought.
Classic literature frequently builds anticipation only to deliver unexpected outcomes, teaching themes of fate and chance.

Pop Culture

Unexpected plot twists are a hallmark of many popular films and TV shows, creating memorable moments.
Stand-up comedians often use unexpected punchlines for humor, subverting audience expectations.
Social media platforms thrive on unexpected content, as surprises often lead to virality and sharing.

Science

In statistics, unexpectedly high or low results can lead researchers to investigate further, uncovering new findings.
Unexpectedly strong weather events, such as storms, remind us of the unpredictability of nature.
In biology, unexpected mutations can lead to new traits, demonstrating the dynamic processes of evolution.

Translations

Translations of the word "unexpectedly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inesperadamente

🇮🇳 अचानक से

🇩🇪 unerwartet

🇮🇩 tiba-tiba

🇺🇦 несподівано

🇵🇱 niespodziewanie

🇯🇵 突然に

🇫🇷 inopinément

🇪🇸 inesperadamente

🇹🇷 beklenmedik bir şekilde

🇰🇷 갑자기

🇸🇦 فجأة

🇨🇿 nečekaně

🇸🇰 nečakane

🇨🇳 突然

🇸🇮 nepričakovano

🇮🇸 óvænt

🇰🇿 күтпеген жерден

🇬🇪 უეცრად

🇦🇿 gözlənilmədən

🇲🇽 inesperadamente

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,697 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9694 wasting
9695 cognition
9696 catastrophe
9697 unexpectedly
9698 proficiency
9699 sine
9700 henceforth
...