as in intermittently
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Recent Examples of unpredictably
Tariff rates shifted so unpredictably for so long that companies are still struggling to build stable, long-term supply chains.
—
Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Because this form of cancer can metastasize so quickly and unpredictably, the only surefire method of prevention is a complete removal of the stomach, or total gastrectomy.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Wet, frozen branches can snap unpredictably when under pressure and jagged edges cut through lightweight work gloves.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
In dysfunctional families, conflict often arises unpredictably, says O’Callaghan.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
Vancouver remains intent on concluding some additional business before the deadline passes, although this market has been late developing and has evolved unpredictably.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
When confronted with construction zones, school buses, power outages, or misbehaving pedestrians, these vehicles often behave unpredictably, leading to crashes or freezing events, causing significant disruption to local traffic and possibly blocking first responders from doing their jobs.
—Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026
There’s a crazy, almost anarchic narrative logic that keeps it zigging and zagging unpredictably from the high-speed chase around precarious mountain roads to the suspenseful near disaster of the climax, in which nature gets angry, and the triumphant eco solution that saves the day.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
Instead of gracefully gliding toward the green, a slice causes the ball to careen unpredictably.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Because this form of cancer can metastasize so quickly and unpredictably, the only surefire method of prevention is a complete removal of the stomach, or total gastrectomy.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Wet, frozen branches can snap unpredictably when under pressure and jagged edges cut through lightweight work gloves.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
In dysfunctional families, conflict often arises unpredictably, says O’Callaghan.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
Vancouver remains intent on concluding some additional business before the deadline passes, although this market has been late developing and has evolved unpredictably.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
When confronted with construction zones, school buses, power outages, or misbehaving pedestrians, these vehicles often behave unpredictably, leading to crashes or freezing events, causing significant disruption to local traffic and possibly blocking first responders from doing their jobs.
—Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026
There’s a crazy, almost anarchic narrative logic that keeps it zigging and zagging unpredictably from the high-speed chase around precarious mountain roads to the suspenseful near disaster of the climax, in which nature gets angry, and the triumphant eco solution that saves the day.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
Instead of gracefully gliding toward the green, a slice causes the ball to careen unpredictably.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpredictably
Adverb
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Other possibilities include faulty wheel speed sensors or a brake pedal switch that’s intermittently failing.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Water District General Manager Erica Wolski said roads on Wildcat Canyon and San Vicente will have lane closures intermittently during the project.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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That’s Duncan’s dilemma from the very beginning of this fitfully hilarious episode of The Audacity.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2026
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The filmmaker shows a strong handle over the film’s fanciful tone and fitfully filthy sense of humor, and he’s credited with composing the film’s score full of squawking brass instruments and skittish strings in addition to writing, directing and editing.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Davidson, 54, became the subject of numerous documentaries, and in 2019, made headlines for unintentionally swearing at Queen Elizabeth II while receiving an award for his advocacy work.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Bubbles Didn’t Enter The Picture That Early In one of the moist unintentionally hilarious moments in the movie, Michael shocks his family by adopting a CGI baby chimpanzee named Bubbles sometime around 1979.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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At university, Karp focused his research on how people unconsciously transfer aggression through language.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
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In presenting the Best Actor winners, Adrien Brody perfectly, if perhaps unconsciously, echoed Johnson’s remarks from more than 50 years earlier.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Oven mitts or snow gloves may have been used to prevent you from inadvertently clawing your skin off, while dips in oatmeal may have offered some temporary relief.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
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But as fuel prices fluctuate amid the war in Iran, the White House has, perhaps inadvertently, provided an opportunity for sustainable power alternatives to gain a greater foothold — at least on film and television productions.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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While the manhunt for the escapees was still underway, the same jail accidentally released another inmate who remained at large for nearly a month.—
Greg Hilburn,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Authorities said a family member of the boy told them that another family member accidentally drove over the child in their residence's driveway.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The game ran poorly, crashed regularly, looked unremarkable, and drove disjointedly.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Some folks in the band’s organization initially wanted to partner with a big beer company, but fortuitously, somebody countered idea with Dogfish Head.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2026
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Sixty years ago, the home opener happened to fortuitously fall during spring break.—
Raymond Daniel Burke,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unpredictably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpredictably. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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