adventitious

adjective

ˌad-(ˌ)ven-ˈti-shəs How to pronounce adventitious (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  1. extrinsic
  2. irrelevant
  3. external
  4. extraneous
  5. accidental
  6. alien
  7. foreign
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
  • The official also said developing different weapon systems was increasingly urgent, arguing that the country’s armed forces needed to defend national security and deter external threats.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Sessions take place in the hotel’s private residences and suites, though most bookings come from external clients rather than hotel guests — largely business leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs based around Mayfair.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 3 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
  • Much could also hinge on what kind of alien life is out there.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
  • On Thursday, the astrophysicist who studies distant planets and writes about alien life was installed as Caltech’s 10th president.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of alien
Adjective
  • Jean Gilles Bernard Camille, a community organizer who lives in a gang stronghold in the capital, said foreign forces have repeatedly underestimated the capacity and power of Haitian gangs and their ability to adapt.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Experts have long warned that floating power deals can leave African governments dependent on costly contracts with foreign suppliers.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of foreign

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Cite this Entry

“Adventitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adventitious. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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