Better than expected as an adjective?
Is there an adjective that can sum up "better than expected"?
For example: "Progress was better than expected." Is there a single word I can use to describe what the progress was like? I'm looking more for in the context of progress that went beyond initial expectations. I saw some suggestions online like "fantastic, amazing, wonderful", but those to me don't symbolize "beyond expected", but more like "beyond great".
Solution 1:
I think you could use the word surprising, which has one definition of "unexpected." So, your sentence would be: The progress was surprising.
I think that the word progress itself implies something positive. Therefore by saying that the progress was surprising, you imply that the result was both good and exceeded your expectations.
Solution 2:
Exceptional progress was exceptional.
Solution 3:
better-than-expected is an adjective itself (as hyphenated) and it sums up "better than expected".
used to describe results , profits , etc. that are higher than it was thought they would be:
The company has reported better-than-expected second quarter results.
Source: http://dictionary.cambridge.org
Also, better than expected (without hyphens) can be used as an adjective phrase. (adjectival phrase). Here, "than expected" is a comparative complement inside the attributive adjective phrase:
a better than expected result
But, it shouldn't be confused with its adverbial form:
He performed better than expected.
Solution 4:
There is outstanding:
- Standing out among others of its kind; prominent.
- Superior to others of its kind; distinguished.
And excellent:
- exceptionally good; extremely meritorious; superior
- possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
And extraordinary:
- exceptional to a high degree; noteworthy; remarkable: extraordinary speed.