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
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
The safety regulator has flagged a defect that could trigger the unintentional deployment of airbags.
—
Francie Ebert, NBC news, 31 May 2026
In January, Hared pleaded guilty in Dakota County District Court to second-degree unintentional murder after reaching a plea agreement with the prosecution, which originally charged him with intentional murder.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
The proposal to end demographic reporting is consistent with Lucas’s broader effort to reframe civil rights enforcement away from systemic or unintentional discrimination and toward individual claims.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 28 May 2026
To counteract this unintentional sabotage, start by cleaning your gutters.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
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Francie Ebert, NBC news, 31 May 2026
In January, Hared pleaded guilty in Dakota County District Court to second-degree unintentional murder after reaching a plea agreement with the prosecution, which originally charged him with intentional murder.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
The proposal to end demographic reporting is consistent with Lucas’s broader effort to reframe civil rights enforcement away from systemic or unintentional discrimination and toward individual claims.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 28 May 2026
To counteract this unintentional sabotage, start by cleaning your gutters.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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