INADVERTENTLY Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

inadvertently

adverb

as in accidentally

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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 inadvertently On a brisk October morning, a coyote ventured onto a mound of dirt in Agoura Hills and inadvertently became a pioneer. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Janones also urged supporters to avoid commenting on opponents’ posts, warning that engaging with their content could inadvertently boost its visibility through social media algorithms. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 But in California, eligible residents are automatically registered to vote when conducting certain transactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles, which has acknowledged inadvertently registering some people in the past. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026 Two days later, the chemicals were inadvertently added to margaritas. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2026 Carter also questioned the reliability of the department's list of names, since both sides agree that an unspecified number of citizens were inadvertently included. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Coogan would inadvertently set the template for those following in his wake. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026 These parasites primarily infest the eyes of cats and dogs but can sometimes make their way into human eyes inadvertently. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Oct. 2026 Those principles inadvertently led Young to top positions at Los Angeles’ Power 106 and New York’s Hot 97, and producing music for artists like Mariah Carey, Nate Dogg, Lil Wayne, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and Ludacris. — Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadvertently

Adverb

Just one month before her second birthday, Aaren died following an eight-day coma after accidentally falling into the swimming pool at her mother’s home.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026
Michael Mann was hospitalized on Saturday after accidentally shooting himself at a gun range in Los Angeles, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of accidentally

Adverb

Throughout this story, the husband is unwittingly chasing a sense of relief.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
In the second film of the two-part blockbuster, Elphaba’s spell to save Prince Fiyero’s life unwittingly transforms him into a scarecrow.

— Victoria Hoffmann, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of unwittingly

Adverb

There are so many organizations working to protect the voting process -- including many that cannot legally coordinate with each other -- that some officials involved worry about unintentionally creating chaos outside polling locations.

— STEVE PEOPLES, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
There are so many organizations working to protect the voting process — including many that cannot legally coordinate with each other — that some officials involved worry about unintentionally creating chaos outside polling locations.

— Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of unintentionally

Adverb

If presented with something to grip, even unconsciously, many jaws will.

— Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Our brain makes these predictions both consciously and unconsciously, relying on past sensory and physical experience to run the odds.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of unconsciously

Adverb

And, fortuitously for would-be sponsors, something happened in tennis that made these arrangements even more appealing.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The earnings announcement was fortuitously timed, coming just as reports were surfacing of high-level OpenAI employees joining the company.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fortuitously

Adverb

Neither phone should be used carelessly at the beach, but that higher dust rating offers a little more peace of mind.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
Combine them carelessly and you either gold-plate the commercial layer or under-build the safety-critical one.

— Stephen Farrugia, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of carelessly

Browse Nearby Words

inadvertent

inadvertently

inadvisability

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

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Synonyms of inadvertently

adverb

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