ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
1
as in accidental
happening by chance
an unintentional encounter with an old classmate at the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spontaneous
not made or done willingly or by choice
an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unintentional
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
Maas was quick to clarify — with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor — that the confusion was entirely unintentional.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
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
Maas was quick to clarify — with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor — that the confusion was entirely unintentional.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
-
Garland died in 1969, of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, but the tragedy did not hamper Minnelli’s ascent.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
An accidental house fire displaced seven people, including one child, early Wednesday in south Fort Worth.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even a spontaneous side order of roasted carrots with pomegranate yogurt is haunting me, in a wonderful way.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
-
And Stanford forbade spontaneous demonstrations across much of campus.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Both remind me of Ray’s leads, who sense that they’re being thwarted or not meeting expectations, but seem unable or unwilling to resolve anything.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Mueller repeatedly referred questioners back to the text of his report, apparently unwilling—or unable—to add any words of his own.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet their snowflake-like beauty was unintended.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But the potential for unintended consequences worries me.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
