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

Whether intentional or unintentional, the creation of new space debris by future space missions must be minimized as much as possible. — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Charles Henry Foss, 36, was charged Thursday with one count of second-degree unintentional murder and one count of stalking, the office said. — Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

The risk of death from suicide was nearly doubled, showing an 89% increase, while the risk of dying from intentional or unintentional injuries, such as motor vehicle accidents, was 55% higher, the study found. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

The thuddingly literal-minded movie that director Brian Duffield has made of it is a piece of thriller kitsch, full of unintentional laughs. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 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