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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unintentional
Just as people instinctively adjust their touch when another person pulls away, visible feedback from machines could help guide behavior and reduce unintentional damage.
—
New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
From 2016-23, there were 3,631 fatal unintentional drowning cases in California, according to data from the state’s Public Health Department.
—Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
This is likely the result of a decline in deaths from COVID, unintentional injuries like drug overdoses, heart disease and cancer, the data suggests.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
From 2020 to 2023, participation waxed and waned, and the group reexamined their association, experimenting with new models of collectivity, and correcting their unintentional gender bias.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
From 2016-23, there were 3,631 fatal unintentional drowning cases in California, according to data from the state’s Public Health Department.
—Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
This is likely the result of a decline in deaths from COVID, unintentional injuries like drug overdoses, heart disease and cancer, the data suggests.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
From 2020 to 2023, participation waxed and waned, and the group reexamined their association, experimenting with new models of collectivity, and correcting their unintentional gender bias.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
-
In early February, a 59-year-old Halethorpe man died after a lighter sparked an accidental house fire, Baltimore County Fire officials said.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
This helps prevent accidental spills or leaks, which can create quite a mess in your luggage.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This spontaneous journey took me to Andalucía, the southernmost region of the Iberian Peninsula, with natural beauty that unravels like a cinematic masterpiece.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Your co-ruler, go-getter Mars, enters the same sector on March 2, which throws more fuel behind any endeavor tied to expressing yourself or being more spontaneous and lighthearted with your nearest and dearest.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Such is the confusion and chaos sown by an executive branch unwilling to negotiate with the people’s representatives, as the Constitution envisions.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
In Anthropic’s telling, the result was an off‑the‑books pipeline that turned Claude into an unwilling teacher for models being developed inside China’s increasingly competitive AI sector.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Moment makes its festival rounds, the pop star’s pivot to acting has resulted in some unintended international implications.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
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But the rollout has also come with unintended consequences and destabilized the childcare sector, which could make care harder to find for younger children.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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