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

From 2020 to 2023, participation waxed and waned, and the group reexamined their association, experimenting with new models of collectivity, and correcting their unintentional gender bias. —Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

Reina’s attorney in a separate civil case wrote in a court filing that his client’s potential errors were unintentional and made in good faith. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026

By 2024, Americans were still dying in the largest numbers from heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries, in that order, though suicide replaced COVID as the 10th most common cause of mortality. —Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026

After the game, Brown praised Okongwu and said his elbow to the face was unintentional. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 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