ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
1
as in accidental
happening by chance
an unintentional encounter with an old classmate at the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spontaneous
not made or done willingly or by choice
an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of unintentional
An unintentional foul resulted in two more Bandelj free throws, but Fullerton’s Bryce Cofield tipped in a basket with three seconds left to trim the lead to 91-90.
—
Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
In the past, the Supreme Court might have been more likely to rule that even unintentional discrimination toward people of color is still a violation of the Voting Rights Act, Kang said.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 4 Dec. 2025
But the first few months of unintentional abstinence forced me to get honest with myself.
—Essence, 3 Dec. 2025
Any overlap in respondent groups between the two surveys is unintentional.
—Joshua Shek, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
In the past, the Supreme Court might have been more likely to rule that even unintentional discrimination toward people of color is still a violation of the Voting Rights Act, Kang said.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 4 Dec. 2025
But the first few months of unintentional abstinence forced me to get honest with myself.
—Essence, 3 Dec. 2025
Any overlap in respondent groups between the two surveys is unintentional.
—Joshua Shek, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
-
Elvyn Yohel Ramos Routt County Investigators also said Ramos filed an insurance claim reporting the fire as accidental.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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In another show, with a lesser writer, such incongruities could be read as character inconsistencies, accidental oversights, mistakes.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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While spontaneous mentions of high prices increased for a fifth month, inflation expectations eased over the longer term.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
This could look like spontaneous travel plans, shifting your career focus or even a spiritual awakening.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The government had been unable - or unwilling - to fix it.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
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In the rare case where someone is unwilling to seek help and a danger to themselves or others, the law enforcement officer is authorized to take someone to the hospital to be assessed against their will.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Additional mortgage purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie could temporarily help lower mortgage costs, but that approach also could have unintended consequences, according to TD Securities analysts.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The saga of Playa Bagdad, just over the border from a SpaceX launchpad, highlights the unintended environmental and social impacts of the global space race.—
Terrence McCoy,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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