Synonyms of incidental

incidental 1 of 2

adjective

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl 

1

as in accidental

happening by chance

an incidental meeting of two ships in the middle of the Atlantic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accidental
• unexpected
• chance
• inadvertent
• unintentional
• unintended
• casual
• unplanned
• fortuitous
• unwitting
• odd
• unpremeditated
• arbitrary
• random
• fluky
• coincidental
• unforeseen
• haphazard
• aimless
• unforeseeable
• desultory
• uncertain
• involuntary
• freak
• unconscious
• forced
• unprompted
• coerced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• intentional
• deliberate
• intended
• planned
• premeditated
• certain
• calculated
• inevitable
• predictable
• foreseeable
• set
• sure
• fixed
• foreseen
• destined
• prescribed
• expected
• premeditative
• predetermined
• prepense
• conscious
• voluntary
• knowing
• preordained
• volunteer
• willful
• foreordained
• predestined
• unforced
• freewill

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

• minor
• small
• little
• slight
• trivial
• unimportant
• trifling
• inconsequential
• insignificant
• frivolous
• worthless
• negligible
• inconsiderable
• nugatory
• petty
• minute
• foolish
• Mickey Mouse
• small-fry
• fiddling
• neither here nor there
• obscure
• small-time
• one-horse
• anonymous
• unknown
• jerkwater
• paltry
• nickel-and-dime
• nameless
• uncelebrated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• major
• important
• significant
• substantial
• meaningful
• consequential
• big
• momentous
• fatal
• material
• eventful
• principal
• weighty
• decisive
• chief
• fateful
• dominant
• overriding
• outstanding
• remarkable
• prominent
• valuable
• exceptional
• distinctive
• worthy
• impressive
• overbearing
• worthwhile
• great
• unfrivolous
• distinguished
• basic
• fundamental
• essential
• eminent
• overmastering
• famous
• key
• illustrious
• prestigious
• notorious
• all-important
• renowned
• preeminent

incidental

2 of 2

noun

as in nonessential

Related Words

• nonessential
• filler
• subsidiary
• extra
• equipment
• luxury
• auxiliary
• trappings
• appurtenances
• embroidery
• nonnecessity
• furnishings
• frill
• accompaniment
• enhancement
• amenity
• additive
• paraphernalia
• complement
• habiliment(s)
• adornment
• ornament
• decoration
• trimming
• embellishment
• bells and whistles
• doodad
• supplement
• appendage
• accessory
• garnish
• adjunct
• add-on
• option
• trim
• adapter
• attachment
• appliance
• accoutrement

Dissimilar Words

• essential
• requirement
• necessity
• requisite

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of incidental

Adjective

The insects also develop in quince and are reported to be incidental in plums, pears, tart cherries, and certain other members of the rose family. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

In one of these journals, called Notebook B, there is an incidental sketch, a few scratched lines like the barren twigs of a winter tree. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Noun

And that’s on top of costly airfare, lodging, match tickets, and other incidentals required to attend the games. — Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026

Officials ruled the hit incidental, though Olszewski left the game and didn’t return with a head injury. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 4 Dec. 2025