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
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
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Add an extra rinse cycle if using chlorine bleach to prevent accidental bleaching of fabrics.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The actor's cause of death was later revealed to be an accidental overdose.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Advances in facial robotics are moving beyond preprogrammed animations toward dynamic, spontaneous expressions, enabling robots to better communicate, build rapport, and integrate into human social environments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
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Compared to the spontaneous, high-spirited, and witty heroines of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, Fanny Price is a prig.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Of course, the Weeknd has long romanticized his own self-destruction, but here, as the water fills his lungs, death finally loses its glamour—there’s nothing romantic about a man incapable of or unwilling to save himself from drowning.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Witnesses may be unavailable or unwilling to speak.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Jan. 2026
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 19 Jan. 2026.
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