unpredictable
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for unpredictable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Impossible to know or foresee in advance.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use unpredictable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From un- + predictable.
Full origin of unpredictable →Frequently asked questions
What does “unpredictable” mean?
The word “unpredictable” means impossible to know or foresee in advance. In plain terms, impossible to guess what will happen next.
How do you use “unpredictable” in a sentence?
Here is “unpredictable” used in a sentence: “His moods were unpredictable, swinging from cheerful to furious in minutes.”
What part of speech is “unpredictable”?
“Unpredictable” is an adjective.
Is “unpredictable” a common word?
“Unpredictable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between unpredictable and random?
Unpredictable means an outcome cannot be foreseen in advance, often because too many variables are involved, while random specifically means outcomes occur without any pattern or cause at all. Weather can be unpredictable due to complex factors, whereas a coin flip is random because each outcome is equally likely with no discernible cause.
Is unpredictable a negative word?
Unpredictable can be neutral or even positive depending on context, such as praising an unpredictable plot twist in a film, but it is often used negatively to describe unreliable behavior or unstable situations, such as an unpredictable temper.
Can unpredictable describe both people and events?
Yes, unpredictable is used for people, such as someone with an unpredictable temperament, and for events, such as unpredictable weather or unpredictable markets. In both cases it means the future behavior or outcome cannot be reliably foreseen.