unwonted

Out of character

Unwonted means unusual or unaccustomed—not what one is used to or what typically occurs: She spoke with unwonted boldness.

The word is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, the negative of wonted (customary), which itself is rarely used outside formal contexts.

Unwonted often describes behavior that surprises because it departs from someone's established pattern.

rare

uncommon

Seldom occurring or found

seldom · sporadic · occasional · sparse · intermittent · atypical · irregular · unaccustomed · unfamiliar · exceptional

unexpected

unforeseen

Not predicted or expected

sudden · abrupt · unlooked-for · unpredictable · disconcerting · astonishing · jarring · unsettling · disorienting · bewildering

Categories
Opposites
frequency/habituality

unwontedwonted

Usual or habitual

habitual · customary · usual · frequent · regular

expectedness/normalcy

unwontednormal

Conforming to standard

ordinary · typical · common · familiar · standard

Family

wont, wonted

Familiarity
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Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G