UNPLANNED Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

unplanned

adjective

ˌən-ˈpland

Definition of unplanned

as in accidental

happening by chance an unplanned change in our itinerary—we got lost!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in impromptu

made or done without previous thought or preparation stumbled through a completely unplanned acceptance speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of unplanned That 145-basis-point benefit got trimmed by 60 basis points of unplanned cost inflation, leaving 85 basis points. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 Though the rocket collision was unplanned, NASA researchers said the event did not pose a threat to anyone on Earth or to the lunar surface. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 Open the official MyChart app or type the portal address into your browser instead of tapping an unplanned link. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Nearly 8,500 San Jose residents were without power on Sunday evening due to an unplanned PG&E outage. — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unplanned

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unplanned

Adjective

This included expert witnesses who said the child’s death was an accidental drowning brought on by a seizure and a jailhouse informant who recanted his trial testimony that Duncan had confessed to the crime.

— Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
In all three cases, authorities have appeared to suggest their deaths were accidental.

— Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of accidental

Adjective

Harley walked into an impromptu interview to become the Huskies interim coach, and less than 48 hours later, NIU announced Hammock’s resignation and Harley’s promotion.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Segovia, a percussionist, has always filled his home with music – playing impromptu concerts for the neighborhood out of open garage doors or inviting friends and fellow musicians over to jam.

— Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of impromptu

Adjective

That's enough to loosen steep slopes where some of the 210,000 islanders live off the grid in improvised housing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Forecasters warn that up to 25 inches of rain and powerful winds could trigger life-threatening flooding, mudslides and even wildfires, especially in remote communities where many residents live off the grid in improvised housing.

— Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of improvised

Adjective

Fans of the popular comedy podcast were greeted with a generic British woman’s voice stating the episode number today instead of Watts’ improvisational beatboxing riff that served as the show’s intro since 2011.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026
The interactivity and reliance on improvisational actors limits audience size to around seven people at a time, Lyons said.

— David Bloom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of improvisational

Browse Nearby Words

unperturbed

unplanned

unplausible

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“Unplanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unplanned. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unplanned

adjective

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