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
Relevance
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
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every year in the United States there are more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths and these numbers spike in the summer months.
—
ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Is that another form of unintentional stat padding?
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Maas was quick to clarify — with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor — that the confusion was entirely unintentional.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
The Hinton family says on the page that Henderson's death was unintentional, and that the money will, in part, be used to Hinton's legal fees.
—Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Is that another form of unintentional stat padding?
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Maas was quick to clarify — with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor — that the confusion was entirely unintentional.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
The Hinton family says on the page that Henderson's death was unintentional, and that the money will, in part, be used to Hinton's legal fees.
—Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
-
The infant and its 2-year-old sibling were removed from their parents’ home in May 2025 and placed in foster care after the baby suffered non-accidental injuries.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In a statement shared with The Baltimore Sun, a spokesperson for the department said that the pepper spray discharge was from the accidental triggering of a keychain canister and impacted at least 11 of the 31 students on board.—
Brian Carlton,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The project imagines a Joseon princess whose songs conjure spontaneous wonderlands, before a moonlit portal transports her to a mysterious palace of history’s greatest artists.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
More and more, following along with their wildest, most spontaneous impulses proves rewarding.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As someone who’s curious about lightweight backpacking but unwilling to leave behind my 350-page novel, cutting my pack’s base weight could be my window into the ultralight world.—
Amelia Arvesen,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
-
After the brief interruption, Green shook off the incident and finished the set, unwilling to let one audience member derail the night.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Musing about unintended consequences, Oosterhoff mentioned the myth of Pandora’s box and Goethe’s tale of the sorcerer’s apprentice.—
Charles Lane,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Sharing too much, too early, can reshape behavior in unintended ways, particularly for younger heirs still forming careers and identities.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
