unintended

adjective

un·​in·​tend·​ed ˌən-in-ˈten-dəd How to pronounce unintended (audio)
: not planned as a purpose or goal : not deliberate or intended
an unintended consequence/effect
an unintended pregnancy

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But beneath the surface, this law carries serious, unintended consequences. Julio Fuentes, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025 The unintended consequence of expertise is cognitive rigidity. Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 Narrowly focusing on insurance regulations could have unintended consequences, Gelfand said. Aneri Pattani, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025 The unintended consequences of each market intervention are economic distortions, which generate further interventions to correct them. The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unintended

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintended was in 1649

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unintended.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintended. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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