accidentally

adverb

Definition of accidentallynext
as in inadvertently

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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 accidentally In this one, Denise (Padilla) is out to dinner and determined to maintain her chill reputation after the server (Mikey Day) accidentally drops a bunch of plates on her head. — Rima Parikh, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2026 Thallium, an ingredient in an insecticide used to kill pests in the child’s home, was confirmed via urine testing — the baby had accidentally ingested it. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 Before removing or servicing a blade, follow the safety instructions in your mower’s manual and make sure the mower cannot start accidentally. — Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2026 Sweat was injured in the second quarter against Miami when safety Dane Belton accidentally collided with him while trying to tackle quarterback Malik Willis. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accidentally
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accidentally
  1. inadvertently
  2. unintentionally
  3. unwittingly
  4. unconsciously
  5. fortuitously
  6. carelessly
  7. casually
Adverb
  • Coogan would inadvertently set the template for those following in his wake.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
  • These parasites primarily infest the eyes of cats and dogs but can sometimes make their way into human eyes inadvertently.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of inadvertently
Adverb
  • There are so many organizations working to protect the voting process -- including many that cannot legally coordinate with each other -- that some officials involved worry about unintentionally creating chaos outside polling locations.
    — STEVE PEOPLES, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • There are so many organizations working to protect the voting process — including many that cannot legally coordinate with each other — that some officials involved worry about unintentionally creating chaos outside polling locations.
    — Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of unintentionally
Adverb
  • Throughout this story, the husband is unwittingly chasing a sense of relief.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In the second film of the two-part blockbuster, Elphaba’s spell to save Prince Fiyero’s life unwittingly transforms him into a scarecrow.
    — Victoria Hoffmann, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of unwittingly
Adverb
  • If presented with something to grip, even unconsciously, many jaws will.
    — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Our brain makes these predictions both consciously and unconsciously, relying on past sensory and physical experience to run the odds.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of unconsciously
Adverb
  • And, fortuitously for would-be sponsors, something happened in tennis that made these arrangements even more appealing.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The earnings announcement was fortuitously timed, coming just as reports were surfacing of high-level OpenAI employees joining the company.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fortuitously
Adverb
  • Neither phone should be used carelessly at the beach, but that higher dust rating offers a little more peace of mind.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Combine them carelessly and you either gold-plate the commercial layer or under-build the safety-critical one.
    — Stephen Farrugia, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of carelessly
Adverb
  • According to Jewish tradition, worn out sacred texts can’t be casually discarded; instead, they are stored in a geniza, a repository usually located within a synagogue or buried at a Jewish cemetery.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Aryna Sabalenka casually displayed her massive engagement ring in a new Instagram carousel.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of casually

Browse Nearby Words

accidental
accidentally
accidents
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Cite this Entry

“Accidentally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accidentally. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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