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 of unintentional

• 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

About half of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and teens between 2001 and 2021 took place at home, typically when children were playing or showing the gun to someone else, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026

The reason for this is not unintentional. — Carissa Chesanek, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5 to 14. — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Jordan got on the board first in the 36th minute, when Mousa Al-Taamari set up Nizar Al-Rashdan with a perfect false touch – which looked like an unintentional mishit – giving the latter a clean berth to slot home a spinning ball with the outside of his right foot. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

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