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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spontaneous
not made or done willingly or by choice
an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unintentional
But, royal biographer Kitty Kelley reported, Diana’s decision to wear the choker as a headband was an unintentional one.
—
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
In New York City, more than 700 adults 55-84 died of unintentional drug poisonings involving opioids in 2024.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
In New York City, more than 700 adults 55-84 died of unintentional drug poisonings involving opioids in 2024.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
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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
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Placental insufficiency, in which the organ fails to develop or function properly, is a leading cause of spontaneous preterm birth, experts say.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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That kind of flexibility leads to spontaneous nights where what started off as an intimate hang expands into an all-out party.—
Sammy Loren,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some countries, like the Baltic nations, will be unwilling to upset Trump given their proximity to the war in Ukraine.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz is limited to its ability to disrupt tanker traffic with drones and missiles, deterring commercial shipping unwilling to take the risk.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As recently as 2022, research group IDinsight found unintended pregnancy was, after a lack of money for school fees, the leading cause of girls not returning to education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Tisch said the shooting is believed to be gang-related, and the baby was an unintended target.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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