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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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
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 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
  • The medical examiner ruled his death accidental, with several secondary causes listed, including heat stress, tachycardia and osteoporosis.
    — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • However, accidental damage and unrelated screen repairs may fall under different coverage terms.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • There were other, more minor, signs that suggested the Republican senator might be in trouble.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In the case of a minor stroke, which is often referred to as a transient ischemic attack or a warning stroke, the person doesn’t suffer lasting effects.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 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
  • Murphy said doctors diagnosed him with a small hemorrhagic stroke, which is a bleed in the brain.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • This design improves control over unwanted current leakage as transistors become smaller.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • Then, a ridge filler base coat can provide a smoother foundation for polish, Loercher says — and a better look to the nail itself.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In South Korea, Letybo often turns up as part of a three-hour combination session that might fold in filler, hyaluronic acid skin boosters and a facial, Kim told Allure.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of filler
Adjective
  • While sharing little in common with dueling-guitar acts such as the Allman Brothers Band or ’70s contemporaries the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, Television also drew its power from the preternatural rapport between Verlaine and Lloyd’s instruments.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The lines of control in the country changed little for years, and a truce was reached in 2022.
    — AHMED HATEM, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of little
Noun
  • The one that did, however, was a robot from Beijing's Lingyi Technology, a subsidiary of Hangzhou's famous Unitree Robotics.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Augenschein and Logical Pictures Group will finance, and the group’s sales subsidiary Logical Pictures International LPI will co-rep sales alongside Protagonist Pictures.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of subsidiary
Adjective
  • Davis held a slight lead Wednesday, and the race between Murphy and Democratic challenger Raymond Smith was particularly close.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The slight gap between the two candidates doesn’t bode well for Bass, since Raman is expected to secure a larger portion of the late-arriving ballots in the coming days.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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