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

Monique Akoa Makani took an incidental elbow from Griner to the face in the opening seconds and went to the locker room briefly. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

Third, the fact that Congress amended the act to authorize incidental take permits with habitat conservation plans strongly suggests that Congress intended for the law to prohibit both direct and indirect causes of death or injury. — Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Noun

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

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