UNLOOKED-FOR Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

unlooked-for

adjective

ˌən-ˈlu̇kt-ˌfȯr

Definition of unlooked-for

as in sudden

not expected the interesting stuff found in the attic was an unlooked-for bonus for the new homeowners

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlooked-for

Adjective

Lucy leaves their countryside home with Johnny immediately, going straight to her mother’s house ( Catherine Deneuve plays mom), but avoids telling her, or anyone else, the specifics of this sudden separation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
All of a sudden, the war took on a more present form, unsettling a kingdom unused to conflicts playing out on home turf.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of sudden

Adjective

Key Takeaways The experiment revealed an unexpected way to manipulate the weak magnetism inside an atomic nucleus.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Still, something unexpected may force you to try a different method, schedule, or approach that ends up working better.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of unexpected

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

unlocks

unlooked-for

unloose

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“Unlooked-for.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlooked-for. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unlooked-for

adjective

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