1
as in accidental
happening by chance
an incidental meeting of two ships in the middle of the Atlantic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in minor
lacking importance
we still have to work out a few incidental details, but the proposal is largely complete
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nonessential
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incidental
Jennifer Obel, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Unless expressly stated, transportation, ground transfers, meals, gratuities, incidentals, resort or facility fees, security deposits, and all other expenses are the sole responsibility of the winner.
—Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incidental
Adjective
That expectation is not incidental.
—Jennifer Obel, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
As any Spinal Tap fan can attest, the choice of location for the band's swan song is far from incidental.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Unless expressly stated, transportation, ground transfers, meals, gratuities, incidentals, resort or facility fees, security deposits, and all other expenses are the sole responsibility of the winner.
—Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incidental
Adjective
-
An infant’s accidental exposure to an infected child can mean serious illness, brain swelling and sometimes death.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
An infant’s accidental exposure to an infected child can mean serious illness, brain swelling and sometimes death.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The buckling may start in the middle, and minor variations in a given can’s shape and size might affect when the first ring emerges.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
-
Obtain one that contains major and minor nutrients.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Anything deemed nonessential would be put on hold, so Americans could experience delays with certain services and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will go without pay.—
Caitlyn Kim,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Its gibbous disk appears small and featureless.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
Trump has signed executive orders to reduce housing regulatory burdens and help smaller banks provide mortgages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Pair tall plants in the back, medium fillers in the middle and trailing varieties tumbling out front for instant garden depth.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
At 4 to 10 inches tall and wide, violas are a perfect filler plant.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rust spores overwinter in leaf debris and infect new foliage in spring with as little as two to four hours of moisture.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
But certain elements of the package, such as a proposal to expand mayoral authority, received little direct attention during Thursday’s public comment.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Musk cofounded OpenAI as a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe AI, but Altman later launched a for-profit subsidiary and is now gearing up for an IPO.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
OpenAI in 2022 announced a $10 billion investment from Microsoft that valued the company, now with a for profit subsidiary, at $20 billion.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Saturday will be mostly dry but there is a slight chance for showers.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
In 2022, his rookie season ended early because of a slight stress fracture in his right ankle.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incidental. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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