incidental 1 of 2

adjective

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl How to pronounce incidental (audio)
Definition of incidentalnext
1
as in accidental
happening by chance an incidental meeting of two ships in the middle of the Atlantic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

incidental

2 of 2

noun

as in nonessential

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Dissimilar Words

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
Adjective
Runlayer’s timing isn’t incidental. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 24 June 2026 Adams offered two incidental new piano pieces and one for string quartet containing his characteristic rhythmic excitement and melodic eloquence. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 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 See All Example Sentences for incidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incidental
  1. accidental
  2. minor
  3. nonessential
  4. small
  5. filler
  6. little
  7. subsidiary
  8. slight
Adjective
  • Fire officials deemed the fire accidental after determining that the family dog, Bo, jumped onto the kitchen counter and turned on the toaster, which ignited nearby combustibles.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Its lightweight, compliant structure makes accidental contact with people, pets and furniture far safer than conventional drones.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • The projectile caused minor structural damage, but there were no injuries among the crew and the ship has continued its journey, the report said.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The project cost is estimated at $85,000, according to a permit for minor tenant improvements submitted to the city.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026
Definition of minor
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
Definition of nonessential
Adjective
  • In contrast, instruments on the FireSat satellites will be able to detect small brush and roadside fires 16 feet across.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the model Toni Garrn made a striking appearance in a blue-black bustier dress embroidered with small petals.
    — Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • The show frontloads big episodes at the start of a season and then ends with a bang, leaving us with too many filler episodes between.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • The portrait in the digital gallery squares off her face and provides an artistic rhinoplasty and lip filler.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of filler
Adjective
  • The latest appearance will do little to quell criticism of Infantino, who is standing currently unopposed for re-election as FIFA president.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • At a press conference with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, government officials said that the fire had started unusually close to the community in Collins, leaving little time to respond.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of little
Noun
  • Instead of raising expensive new money from outside investors, parent companies extracted equity from their nonbank subsidiaries and funneled it into their commercial bank arms.
    — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Fidelity and its subsidiary, Fidelity Brokerage Services agreed to the deal on May 13, closing the door on a lawsuit alleging the investment giant failed to both adequately prevent a cyberattack and alert members to its existence after the fact.
    — Brian Sloan,Dan Avery, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of subsidiary
Adjective
  • Ndoye didn't shoot on his first touch of the ball, though, and that slight hesitation to control the ball and gather for a shot left just enough time for Argentina to swoop in to block the shot.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
  • England will be slight favorites given the amount of world-class quality supporting its star man.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of slight

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Cite this Entry

“Incidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incidental. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of incidental for Spanish Speakers

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