Definition of adventitiousnext
as in extrinsic
not being a vital part of or belonging to something the point of view that art should be for art's sake and that moral considerations are adventitious to the study of art

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 adventitious 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 The cut appears to have been high enough that the stump should still have enough adventitious buds to regrow. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2023 This can also occur when trees are planted too deep, as adventitious (growing sideways from the stem) roots grow against the stem and squeeze the sapwood. Rebecca Jepsen, The Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adventitious
Adjective
  • Educational psychology provides a useful framework for understanding this phenomenon through the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
    Jason Benedict, Fortune, 7 July 2026
  • Extrinsic rewards, such as grades, do so because extrinsic desires tend to crowd out intrinsic ones.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • But in closing statements, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague said mental health issues are irrelevant.
    Carmel Wroth, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Some Democrats are trying to dismiss the 35-year-old political commentator as irrelevant.
    Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Lessons cover automating workflows and marketing tasks, Local SEO automation, and connecting agents to APIs, databases, and external services using tools such as FastAPI, Docker, and GitHub.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers could not simply introduce an infinite external force and create the singularity.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Howard said there was a large volume of character, reputation, and extraneous information related to the Metcalfs.
    CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Judges should consider voluntary surrender for low-risk individuals who have demonstrated compliance, ensuring punishment aligns with the court's order without adding extraneous suffering.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The impact-absorbing cushioning is also a plus for my grandma, as is the rubber sole, which prevents accidental falls or slips.
    Essence Wiley, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
  • An investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department remains ongoing, but KTLA previously reported that officials believe the crash was accidental.
    Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • This time round, Horvat is on to something even more deliciously odd with a study that mashes together grief, matrimonial disharmony, the alien nature of mathematical minds, and desire’s wild pursuit of obscure objects.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The series follows two best friends, Māori character Māui from Aotearoa and Métis character Elvis from Canada, who set out to save Māui’s grandmother after an alien bent on world destruction takes over her body.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Maduro’s lawyers argued in papers filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court that the indictment must be dismissed because heads of sovereign states are immune from criminal prosecution in foreign courts.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The recent changes followed reports that some foreign residents had been driving up home prices or evading payments for their public health insurance.
    Christine Miyawaki, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adventitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adventitious. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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