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Unsurprising Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unsurprising

[ʌnˈsɜːrprɪzɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

expected outcome

Unsurprising refers to something that is not unexpected; it indicates that a particular outcome or event is predictable based on prior knowledge or circumstances. When a situation unfolds as anticipated, it can be described as unsurprising.

Synonyms

expected, foreseeable, predictable.

Examples of usage

  • His failure to arrive on time was unsurprising.
  • The team's loss was unsurprising given their recent performance.
  • The weather's unpredictability made her comment about the rain unsurprising.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Expectations play a key role in how we perceive events. If we predict an outcome, we are less likely to be surprised by it.
  • Cognitive theories suggest that when something is unsurprising, our brain processes it quickly without the need for detailed analysis.

Literature

  • Writers often use foreshadowing to make events unsurprising; this technique builds a narrative structure that leads readers to predictable outcomes.
  • Famous authors, like Agatha Christie, masterfully used unsurprising elements to mislead audiences before revealing the truth.

Everyday Life

  • In daily conversations, people often say something is unsurprising when discussing events like sports games outcomes based on team standings.
  • Weather predictions often use the term to describe anticipated weather patterns; for example, sunny weather in summer can be called unsurprising.

Pop Culture

  • In a humorous culture, characters often find situations unsurprising, which can be a comedic device in sitcoms and films.
  • Reality TV shows often rely on unsurprising drama to maintain viewer engagement, knowing what the audience expects.

Origin of 'unsurprising'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'un-', a prefix meaning 'not', with 'surprising', which comes from the Latin word 'surprendere', meaning 'to seize' or 'catch'.
  • In English, the term began to appear around the early 20th century, reflecting changes in communication and social expectations.

The word 'unsurprising' is formed by the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'surprising', which originates from the Middle English 'surprisen' derived from the Old French 'surprendre', meaning 'to take over; seize.' The adjective 'surprising' itself came into use in the late 19th century, referring to something that causes surprise or astonishment. The combination with 'un-' creates a term that negates the element of surprise, indicating that the event or situation in question aligns with what one would reasonably expect. The use of 'unsurprising' has become increasingly common in various contexts, particularly in discussions related to expected outcomes in news, sports, and daily life.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,165, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.