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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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 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
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Deadline asked Katz whether Brilliant Minds’ cancellation was a foregone conclusion since the scheduling of the final episodes makes their performance irrelevant.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 May 2026
  • To take the music too seriously was to operate from an irrelevant paradigm.
    David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Ben Lerner is a very interesting writer whose books — through no fault of his own — come with a lot of external baggage that may be brought to the reading experience.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • Unlike the Apple Vision Pro headset, another device with a slew of external sensors, the new AirPods aren’t designed to support hand-gesture control.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • Some courts, for example, have considered extraneous factors that should only matter in understanding whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor — an entirely separate issue.
    Keith Sonderling, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • That might sound like the company is setting up buyers for extraneous extras at a huge double-price tag, but the entire system is actually quite reasonable at US$5,139 for the Altus cabin with pickup bed rack and $6,049 for the Altus with truck cap.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Forensic investigators will determine whether the shooting was on purpose or accidental, police said.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
  • Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy didn't buy the scene as accidental.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Steel drums, alien synths, verses in Spanish, Arabic, and Zulu—yes.
    Will Lynch, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
  • The series follows a man and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Donut, who survive an alien invasion and must participate in a video game-like dungeon reality television show with intergalactic viewership.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • As of Friday afternoon, 14 climbers including seven foreign nationals had been safely evacuated.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
  • Berger also warned against attempts by Israelis to deceive foreign agents, stressing that any contact is a serious offense.
    Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adventitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adventitious. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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