unintentional

adjective

ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
Definition of unintentionalnext
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 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 unintentional Nationwide, drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14, according to the CDC. — Karen Cohn, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026 But the unintentional fake out showed just how eager the Bronx faithful is to see Lombard in the big leagues. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026 Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 through 4, and in kids ages 5 through 14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after vehicle crashes. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 What remains an open technical question is how to guarantee those models don’t take unintentional or dangerous actions. — Harry Booth, Time, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
  1. accidental
  2. spontaneous
  3. unwilling
  4. unintended
Adjective
  • Driscoll and others involved in the mission worried that something far less dramatic could derail it, such as an accidental weapon discharge, an isolated confrontation with a protester or a guardsman caught on camera behaving poorly.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In these spaces, the risk of accidental contact with poison ivy is much higher.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • This case is small enough for spontaneous games by the lake, in an airport lounge, or after a long lunch that stretches into sunset cocktails—even the simplest games deserve first-class treatment.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Doctors diagnosed the man with a spontaneous epidural hematoma, which is a blood clot that forms in the head or spine without any preceding trauma.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of spontaneous
Adjective
  • Barcelona believe the Argentina striker wants to join, but Atletico are unwilling to sell for anything close to the €100m or so that the Camp Nou outfit are currently able to offer.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, in their wake, the league veered far in the other direction, taking the finesse out of the game and turning on-court play into a street fight, with officials unable or unwilling to get their arms round the physicality.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of unwilling
Adjective
  • Sometimes respectful questions surface risks, unintended consequences, or better alternatives that genuinely strengthen the final decision.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The military operation was the first following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s dismantling of an office focused on mitigating unintended casualties.
    — Alex Horton, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of unintended

Browse Nearby Words

unintended
unintentional
unintentionally
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unintentional for Spanish Speakers

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