Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not anticipated; not expected or foreseen: Describes something that happens suddenly or surprisingly, without having been predicted or prepared for.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The unanticipated rainstorm ruined our picnic. (The rainstorm that we did not expect ruined our picnic.)
  • The company faced unanticipated costs during the project. (The company encountered costs that were not foreseen during the project.)
  • Her resignation was completely unanticipated. (Her resignation was a complete surprise; no one expected it.)

Advanced Usage

• "unanticipated consequences": results or effects of an action that were not predicted.
  • The new policy had many unanticipated consequences for small businesses.
• "unanticipated event": a happening that occurs without warning.
  • The conference was disrupted by an unanticipated event.

Variants and Related Words

• Anticipate (verb): to expect or foresee something and prepare for it.
  • We did not anticipate this problem.
• Anticipated (adjective): expected or predicted.
  • The anticipated release date is next month.
• Unforeseen (adjective): not anticipated or predicted. (A close synonym)
  • We have funds for unforeseen expenses.

Synonyms

• Unexpected: not expected or regarded as likely to happen.
• Sudden: occurring or done quickly and unexpectedly.
• Unforeseen: not anticipated or predicted.

Antonyms

• Anticipated: expected or predicted.
• Expected: regarded as likely to happen.
• Foreseen: be aware of beforehand; predict.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A bolt from the blue: a complete surprise, like something unexpected happening suddenly. (This idiom is related in meaning to something being unanticipated.)
  • The news of his departure came as a bolt from the blue.
• Out of the blue: happening unexpectedly.
  • She called me out of the blue after ten years.

Adjective

1. not anticipated
   • unanticipated and disconcerting lines of development- H.W.Glidden
   • unforeseen circumstances
   • a virtue unlooked-for in people so full of energy
   • like a bolt out of the blue