1
as in chance
happening by chance
finding the gold was all the more remarkable because its discovery was entirely accidental
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irrelevant
not being a vital part of or belonging to something
we're considering the painting's merit as a work of art, its commercial value being entirely accidental as far as we're concerned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of accidental
The health system did not comment on the death, but the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office said it was ruled accidental.
—
Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Promoted throughout March, the seasonal crawfish giveaways began in 2024 when brothers and owners Nathan Aguirre and Ian Ramirez turned an accidental surplus of mudbugs from their own boil into something to share with customers.
—Michael Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 30 Mar. 2026
Kids eat meals, snacks and treats during the school day, so having a system to prevent accidental exposures to food allergens is important.
—Dr. Sonja O'Leary, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Holder is facing a slew of charges, including felony murder, a first-degree murder charge when a killing occurs during the commission of a dangerous felony, regardless of whether the killing was intentional or accidental.
—Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accidental
Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Promoted throughout March, the seasonal crawfish giveaways began in 2024 when brothers and owners Nathan Aguirre and Ian Ramirez turned an accidental surplus of mudbugs from their own boil into something to share with customers.
—Michael Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 30 Mar. 2026
Kids eat meals, snacks and treats during the school day, so having a system to prevent accidental exposures to food allergens is important.
—Dr. Sonja O'Leary, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Holder is facing a slew of charges, including felony murder, a first-degree murder charge when a killing occurs during the commission of a dangerous felony, regardless of whether the killing was intentional or accidental.
—Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accidental
Adjective
-
So, all of the other amazing things that'll happen on the way are irrelevant, if that doesn't go well.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
His running mate is irrelevant to matching funds.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Justice Department has continued to face pressure and criticism over omissions, improper redactions and the inadvertent release of victims' names.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Many states that accept late-arriving absentee ballots implemented their policies during the COVID-19 pandemic when vote by mail surged in popularity and Postal Service delays raised concerns about inadvertent disenfranchisement.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Michael In signing Lorenzen to a one-year, $8 million contract, the most for an external free agent since 2015, the Rockies seemingly overlooked — or had to — his issues in Denver.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
When similar events occur during bull markets, external events are often a trigger rather than a cause.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Reviewing these options in advance can help prevent unexpected medical expenses later in the year.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Chalker’s strategy for clearing his reputation—which had been the foundation of his lucrative business—was unexpected, to say the least.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 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
-
In comparison, the United States sees more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths each year, the CDC said.—
Hali Smith
March 21,
Idaho Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
That authorization was broad and encompassed Gastineau’s name and likeness as reflected in extrinsic footage, such as that of the encounter with Favre.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Happiness means pursuing intrinsic rather than extrinsic goals One of the biggest lies that Old Happy tells us, Harrison explains, is that the pursuit of extrinsic goals and external approval — popularity, conformity, financial success, aesthetic beauty — is the key to happiness.—
Nina Zipkin,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In reality, instruction in table manners was incidental to the main lesson, which was how to exchange ideas, frame a polite argument and, if necessary, pretend to be interested in what others had done that day.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accidental. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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