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
And despite an unprecedented drop in 2024, drug overdoses and other unintentional injuries were the third leading cause of death in the US for the third year in a row.
—
Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The leading causes of death included suicide, diabetes, kidney disease, and unintentional injury.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Fixed a bug where the player character could perform unintentional moves when using the Spectral Hawk.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The 82-year-old panelist dropped the unintentional spoiler about the CBS series, which ended after five seasons in May, during Latifah’s visit to the Hot Topics table on Tuesday.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The leading causes of death included suicide, diabetes, kidney disease, and unintentional injury.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Fixed a bug where the player character could perform unintentional moves when using the Spectral Hawk.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The 82-year-old panelist dropped the unintentional spoiler about the CBS series, which ended after five seasons in May, during Latifah’s visit to the Hot Topics table on Tuesday.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
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Siri has been making accidental phone calls for us since 2012.—
Gelila,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Warner died unexpectedly in July from an accidental drowning in Costa Rica.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The most successful events of the next decade will be those that create authentic environments for spontaneous human interaction.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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While clogged arteries are still the most common cause of heart attacks overall, seldom understood catalysts have put women at a higher risk, including spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), anemia and infections.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Alas, King and Conqueror is unwilling to meet its characters on anything but 21st-century terms.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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The Golden State Warriors know restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is their best trade asset, but the team has been unwilling to accept any sign-and-trades.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The politicians who authored the rules are unlikely to be around to face the mandate’s unintended consequences.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But clearing the smellscape may have unintended consequences.—
Franklin Schneider,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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