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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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
Plant Deep — Really Deep Tomatoes have the ability to produce roots off their stems, known as adventitious roots.
—Margaret Roach, New York Times, 12 May 2020
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
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
Plant Deep — Really Deep Tomatoes have the ability to produce roots off their stems, known as adventitious roots.
—Margaret Roach, New York Times, 12 May 2020
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
-
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
-
In sports like running, this sort of physical awareness is less important (though not entirely irrelevant).—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
22 Mar. 2026
-
These virtues are not irrelevant relics.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Concerns raised by witnesses An external investigation found no evidence that district employees knew of or ignored prior misconduct, though parents and lawmakers have questioned the district's oversight.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
To build this reserve of strength, Flanagan suggested drilling down on regular resistance training activities, which simply means making the body push against an external force.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Over the past week, Dru Smith has been essential in a mix of three point guards and extraneous when only two at point were featured.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Each has been given extraneous dramatic business, perhaps to balance the scales with Oliver and Ciara, and to underscore that this is a show about two sets of couples, their trust issues and their need for one another.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Garland died in 1969, of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, but the tragedy did not hamper Minnelli’s ascent.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
An accidental house fire displaced seven people, including one child, early Wednesday in south Fort Worth.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Reddit thread quickly turned into a nostalgia session, with users recalling an internet experience that might sound almost alien today.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Earth’s sun is infected with a mysterious phenomena conjured by Weir called a Petrova line, a trail of alien cells called astrophage that are slowly consuming the fiery orb.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Steyer told the outlet the funds existed to provide a vehicle for foreign investors rather than to dodge taxes.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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North of Manila, Pampanga is referred to as the culinary heartland of the Philippines, offering unrivaled food experiences that marry indigenous cooking techniques and foreign influences.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adventitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adventitious. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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