unintentional

adjective

un·​in·​ten·​tion·​al
ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
 How to pronounce unintentional (audio)
: not done by intention or design : not intentional
an unintentional effect
causing unintentional harm/offense
unintentionally adverb
an unintentionally offensive remark

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
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.
While most of the crashes, about 90%, are unintentional, Reiter said the numbers of crashes overall seem to be growing as drivers age, use mobile phones and other auto technology and get behind the wheel intoxicated or high. Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025 The film’s chilling representation of American politics may be an unintentional departure from the novel’s more whimsical energy. Andrew McGowan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025 The accident is unintentional but places the entire family in a precarious situation. Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 24 Sep. 2025 The boy, identified by officers as Cartier Smith, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour after the unintentional shooting, police said. Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unintentional

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintentional was in 1782

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Cite this Entry

“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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