unintended

adjective

un·​in·​tend·​ed ˌən-in-ˈten-dəd 

: not planned as a purpose or goal : not deliberate or intended

an unintended consequence/effect

an unintended pregnancy

Synonyms of unintended

• accidental

Examples of unintended in a Sentence

backyard digging that resulted in unintended damage to buried phone wires

a response that yielded an unintended insight into her personal character

Recent Examples on the Web

Sometimes respectful questions surface risks, unintended consequences, or better alternatives that genuinely strengthen the final decision. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

The military operation was the first following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s dismantling of an office focused on mitigating unintended casualties. — Alex Horton, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026

Spears shared the unintended results of her cosmetic procedure with her 41 million Instagram followers. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026

Or have there been unintended consequences from disconnecting from linear cable? — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unintended

• apprehended
• comprehended
• condescended
• recommended
• resuspended
• unamended
• unattended
• undefended
• undescended
• unexpended
• amended
• appended