unintentional

adjective

un·​in·​ten·​tion·​al

ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl

 

: not done by intention or design : not intentional

an unintentional effect

causing unintentional harm/offense

unintentionally adverb

an unintentionally offensive remark

Synonyms

• accidental

Examples of unintentional in a Sentence

an unintentional encounter with an old classmate at the mall

an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful

Recent Examples on the Web

Some lives are lost due to unintentional exposure including babies, young children and public servants that come into contact with this drug. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Others — many, as tax experts have told me — are unintentional and the result of the law’s complexity. —Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

At the time, the governor said the slight was unintentional and amended it on social media. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 June 2025

Unexplained Weight Changes Significant unintentional weight changes in either direction could be related to gut imbalances. —Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unintentional

• interventional
• nonconventional
• nondimensional
• unconventional
• attentional
• conventional
• dimensional
• extensional
• intensional
• intentional
• multidimensional
• unidimensional