Definition of adventitiousnext
as in extrinsic
not being a vital part of or belonging to something the point of view that art should be for art's sake and that moral considerations are adventitious to the study of art

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adventitious Although individual plants have a lifespan of 30-90 years, adventitious shoots grow up from roots. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 July 2025 The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker. Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024 The cut appears to have been high enough that the stump should still have enough adventitious buds to regrow. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2023 Plant Deep — Really Deep Tomatoes have the ability to produce roots off their stems, known as adventitious roots. Margaret Roach, New York Times, 12 May 2020 This can also occur when trees are planted too deep, as adventitious (growing sideways from the stem) roots grow against the stem and squeeze the sapwood. Rebecca Jepsen, The Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adventitious
Adjective
  • That authorization was broad and encompassed Gastineau’s name and likeness as reflected in extrinsic footage, such as that of the encounter with Favre.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Happiness means pursuing intrinsic rather than extrinsic goals One of the biggest lies that Old Happy tells us, Harrison explains, is that the pursuit of extrinsic goals and external approval — popularity, conformity, financial success, aesthetic beauty — is the key to happiness.
    Nina Zipkin, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • So, all of the other amazing things that'll happen on the way are irrelevant, if that doesn't go well.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
  • His running mate is irrelevant to matching funds.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Michael In signing Lorenzen to a one-year, $8 million contract, the most for an external free agent since 2015, the Rockies seemingly overlooked — or had to — his issues in Denver.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
  • When similar events occur during bull markets, external events are often a trigger rather than a cause.
    Michael Hiltzik, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Over the past week, Dru Smith has been essential in a mix of three point guards and extraneous when only two at point were featured.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Each has been given extraneous dramatic business, perhaps to balance the scales with Oliver and Ciara, and to underscore that this is a show about two sets of couples, their trust issues and their need for one another.
    Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The latest data leak is potentially more damaging to Anthropic than the earlier accidental exposure of the company’s draft blog post about its forthcoming model.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Each accidental catch potentially removes an animal that was alive before the Industrial Revolution.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Bruzzone’s vocals seesaw between throat-buzzing alien croaks and clean vocals that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Mars Volta ballad.
    Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026
  • It's eventually discovered that the moon is actually an alien megastructure that’s going to destroy our planet.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • As Prince of Wales, Charles has traveled to stateside 19 times, including with Camilla on what was their first foreign tour as husband and wife in 2005.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
  • At that time, Andrew allegedly shared government itineraries, investment plans and notes from official foreign trips with Epstein.
    Ava Berger, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adventitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adventitious. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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