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

Contraception is critical to helping adolescent girls avoid unintended pregnancies and the risks of childbirth, particularly given Africa’s high maternal mortality rates, experts say. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

The issue has raised questions about whether a system designed to help people charged with lower-level crimes can have unintended consequences when applied to cases involving someone's death. — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Some have died in gruesome, unintended situations involving blood or flames. — New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

The same technology that is delivering extraordinary productivity is raising very real questions about access, control and unintended actions. — Mia Urman, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 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