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

Defense attorneys will likely argue that the explosion was a tragic accident, but was unintended — even if the defendants broke rules meant to regulate the sale and storage of fireworks, Parisi said. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026

Kirk Koudelka, assistant commissioner for the MPCA, said that closing HERC could have unintended health impacts by shifting pressure to landfills. —Conor Wight, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026

Little agreed, and voiced worries in his veto about how relaxing state rules on the number of children at a day care could lead to unintended consequences. —Kevin Fixler april 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026

As with most rules changes, unintended consequences were inevitable. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 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