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

Blanket hogging, one-sided cocooning, temperature mismatches, and unintentional comforter hogging are among the reasons couples are embracing the same bed, separate bedding trend. —Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026

Smith voiced concerns about a mandatory life in prison sentence for manslaughter, an unintentional death. —Marta Zherukha, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every year in the United States there are more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths and these numbers spike in the summer months. —ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

Is that another form of unintentional stat padding? —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Mar. 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