unpredictably (B2)

adverb

Pronunciation: /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbli/

Definition

In a way that cannot be foreseen or known in advance; erratically or inconsistently.

Examples

• The stock market reacted unpredictably to the news, with shares rising and falling sharply.

• Her mood swings made her behavior unpredictably difficult to manage at times.

• The computer program crashed unpredictably, making it hard to find the cause of the error.

How to Use unpredictably

behave unpredictably (collocation)

To act in a way that is not expected. — "The child tends to behave unpredictably when tired."

change unpredictably (collocation)

To alter in a way that cannot be foretold. — "The weather can change unpredictably in the mountains."

unpredictably high/low (collocation)

To be unexpectedly at an extreme level. — "The temperature was unpredictably high for this time of year."

Synonyms of unpredictably

Words with a similar meaning to unpredictably:

• erratically
• capriciously
• fickly
• volatily

Antonyms of unpredictably

Words with the opposite meaning to unpredictably:

• predictably
• consistently
• reliably

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