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
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
This means involving diverse stakeholders, including end-users, in the design process to identify ethical principles and anticipate unintended consequences.
—
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
But there’s something fundamentally amiss here, something that’s an unintended consequence — but a meaningful consequence, nonetheless — of an MLB policy instituted in 2023 and implemented last year.
—Vahe Gregorian
july 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2025
While drivers need to be paid fairly and have access to things such as health benefits, please don’t rush into providing these things or allowing for unionization with the unintended consequence of ripping access to ride-share services away from those of us who need it.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
However, the unintended fallout is this: Entire communities have become unmarketable overnight, property values are plummeting, and average Floridians are stuck, unable to sell, refinance or move.
—Peter S. Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintended
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.
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
But there’s something fundamentally amiss here, something that’s an unintended consequence — but a meaningful consequence, nonetheless — of an MLB policy instituted in 2023 and implemented last year.
—Vahe Gregorian
july 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2025
While drivers need to be paid fairly and have access to things such as health benefits, please don’t rush into providing these things or allowing for unionization with the unintended consequence of ripping access to ride-share services away from those of us who need it.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
However, the unintended fallout is this: Entire communities have become unmarketable overnight, property values are plummeting, and average Floridians are stuck, unable to sell, refinance or move.
—Peter S. Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintended
Cite this Entry
“Unintended.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintended. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share