Definition of accidentalnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective accidental differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of accidental are casual, contingent, and fortuitous. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

When might casual be a better fit than accidental?

In some situations, the words casual and accidental are roughly equivalent. However, casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When is it sensible to use contingent instead of accidental?

While in some cases nearly identical to accidental, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

When can fortuitous be used instead of accidental?

While the synonyms fortuitous and accidental are close in meaning, fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

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 accidental Her cause of death was ruled an accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors. Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026 The outtakes show the cast struggling through everything from elevator doors that refuse to open on cue to accidental run-ins with set pieces, and even a stumble from Streep in her seat. Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 Houston died on February 2012 at the age of 48 after an accidental drowning. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 23 June 2026 This alignment is not accidental. Nino Letteriello, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for accidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accidental
Adjective
  • Only a few minutes earlier, Abulaila endured an inadvertent slap to his throat by Arnautovic on a pass into the box.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
  • However, after Monday's inadvertent alarm, the office is looking at that policy.
    Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • To me that’s irrelevant in terms of this storytelling.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 21 June 2026
  • Whether the governmental entity later does anything with the complaint (here, the Board did not) is irrelevant.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • The exercise also included unexpected financial setbacks.
    Conor McGill, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • The settlement that ended Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's blockbuster legal war began with an unexpected Friday night phone call.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Emphasizing that self-worth comes from internal sources instead of external will also help kids deal with a myriad of confidence-bruising situations that may arise online, Hunt said.
    Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
  • True opportunities arise from understanding external factors like stock ownership, investor mandates and changing incentives.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • The terrible accident happened this past January, leaving the album as an unintentional farewell from an artist who only recently re-emerged on a wider stage.
    Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • According to advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, there have been at least 120 unintentional shootings in 2026 by children, resulting in 43 deaths and 79 injuries.
    Michael Guise, CBS News, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • Adams offered two incidental new piano pieces and one for string quartet containing his characteristic rhythmic excitement and melodic eloquence.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
  • Too much time is devoted to elevating one-note supporting characters and their incidental solo missions, and too little time is given to the star attraction, the man from outer space, the guy with a face worthy of comparing to the Mona Lisa.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • She was medically excused from the 2020 WNBA season held amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to extrinsic asthma, then returned to the league with the Washington Mystics in 2021.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2026
  • Anyone that wanted to reserve time in the July 19 final was beholden to a full-tourney pledge of as much as $30 million, although your mileage will vary based on any number of extrinsic variables.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Accidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accidental. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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