ADVENTITIOUS Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

adventitious

adjective

ˌad-(ˌ)ven-ˈti-shəs

Definition of adventitious

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 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

Definition of extrinsic

Adjective

In Leipzig, Nelsons’ contribution to the Gewandhaus democracy weekend was no democracy at all, only an irrelevant program of Tchaikovsky and Dvorak standards.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
The arrangement of these nine numbers in the triangle is irrelevant.

— Heinrich Hemme, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of irrelevant

Adjective

Its onboard guidance architecture combines multiple technologies to help identify targets without depending entirely on external navigation or communication links.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
It is affiliated with the ISHRS and FUE Europe — professional-body affiliations that give patients an external reference point beyond the clinic’s own materials.

— Burak Onal, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of external

Adjective

In some instances a victim’s extraneous activity has made a prosecutor’s task more difficult.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
McAuliffe, now a breast cancer surgeon and clinical investigator at Emory University, said that surgeons encounter a lot of extraneous information in the electronic health record — but the nudge was simple.

— Allessandra DiCorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of extraneous

Adjective

The medical examiner ruled his death accidental, with several secondary causes listed, including heat stress, tachycardia and osteoporosis.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
However, accidental damage and unrelated screen repairs may fall under different coverage terms.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of accidental

Adjective

Created by Akira Toriyama and produced by Toei Animation, Dragon Ball Z is a sci-fi fantasy that follows the adventures of Goku, an alien warrior.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026
The novels follow Cammie Skoura, a brilliant, neurodivergent young scientist aboard a deep-space expedition that uncovers a trail of ancient ruins and long-dead alien civilizations leading toward a mind-shattering discovery.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of alien

Adjective

The initiative will target foreign adversaries and domestic actors who exploit advanced systems for unlawful purposes.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
One option for overhauling the committee, according to people familiar with the situation, is broadening its focus beyond China to explore issues related to other bad foreign actors.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of foreign

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“Adventitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adventitious. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of adventitious

adjective

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