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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 incidental
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025
Overfishing — whether targeted or incidental — is their biggest threat, with many caught unintentionally and discarded as bycatch.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Ryley Amond, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Concert-goers spent an average $1,300 per show on incidentals—transportation, accommodation, dining, shopping—over and above the cost of tickets, according to research from Skift.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incidental
Adjective
As a result, the county worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to get an incidental take permit.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025
Overfishing — whether targeted or incidental — is their biggest threat, with many caught unintentionally and discarded as bycatch.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Visa Infinite: Offers the highest levels of protection and premium perks like airport lounge access and airline incidentals statement credit.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Concert-goers spent an average $1,300 per show on incidentals—transportation, accommodation, dining, shopping—over and above the cost of tickets, according to research from Skift.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incidental
Adjective
-
Collantes ruled the cut was the result of an accidental headbutt, Suarez’s team is arguing that a punch caused the cut.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
But the real Sylvia and Mort were larger-than-life characters and became accidental celebrities when The Nanny aired.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
In some cases, lawyers said students had their legal statuses altered for minor traffic violations, such as unpaid parking tickets.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
-
Nina and Jim are forced to work overtime to re-center key story components that get lost amid more minor twists and turns.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Court of International Trade previously rejected the small businesses' request to temporarily pause the tariffs while their lawsuit went forward, but then quickly scheduled Tuesday’s court hearing to decide whether to rule against the tariffs or impose a longer-term pause.—
Dietrich Knauth,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
Instead, Atkinson took up golf for the first time and renewed his connection to scientific research, not the least of which was how a small white ball repeatedly avoids a hole in the ground.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Plaster of Paris, gypsum, and other white, powdery fillers made their way into milk and flour for color and texture.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
1 May 2025
-
Research has shown that filler can remain in the skin for years and years and years.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With that, there is little the GOP dominated Congress can or would do to reign Trump in on this abuse of the Act without a veto proof bill shutting down his initiative.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
-
His use of a century’s old wartime law to deport undocumented migrants with little or no due process to a notorious prison in El Salvador under scrutiny after the administration deported at least one migrant there by mistake.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
The Wall Street Journal is owned by Dow Jones, a subsidiary of News Corp, which is also controlled by the Murdoch family.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
9 May 2025
-
Buffett had tapped Sokol to turn around the failing Berkshire subsidiary NetJets in 2009, leaving Abel to step up in Sokol’s place as MidAmerican’s next CEO.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
Despite a slight deceleration in the first quarter of 2025, the growth remained positive, with volume and revenue increasing by 1.1% and 1.52% respectively.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
Several rivers that have been flooded in Northern Texas could see a slight bump in water levels over the weekend, according to the National Water Prediction Service.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
Aside from the actual comfort of the mattress, Henwood appreciates Nectar since the brand itself typically offers free extras like a sheet set, mattress protector, and pillows with a bed purchase to round out your sleep setup.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
9 May 2025
-
Both programs are found on Amex Travel’s website and give travelers a range of extras at higher-end hotels.—
Chris Dong,
Saveur,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incidental. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share