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

That’s called an incidental finding, leading doctors to investigate well before symptoms and possibly early enough that the cancer hasn’t yet spread. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

The statute, Government Code section 8314, carries civil penalties, and violations beyond incidental use can be prosecuted as felonies. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 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