unintended

adjective

un·​in·​tend·​ed ˌən-in-ˈten-dÉ™d How to pronounce unintended (audio)
Synonyms of unintendednext
: 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.
This turns out to be literally true but comes with unintended consequences. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 Saving on attorney fees upfront may be appealing, but the potential for errors, delays or unintended consequences can quickly outweigh those savings. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 Some doctors say these methods are dangerous and the medications people are taking may have unintended consequences. Matt Cullinan, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 In California there have also been unintended impacts on other preschool providers. Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 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 27 Apr. 2026.

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