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
But, royal biographer Kitty Kelley reported, Diana’s decision to wear the choker as a headband was an unintentional one.
—
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
In New York City, more than 700 adults 55-84 died of unintentional drug poisonings involving opioids in 2024.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Blanket hogging, one-sided cocooning, temperature mismatches, and unintentional comforter hogging are among the reasons couples are embracing the same bed, separate bedding trend.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026
Smith voiced concerns about a mandatory life in prison sentence for manslaughter, an unintentional death.
—Marta Zherukha, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
In New York City, more than 700 adults 55-84 died of unintentional drug poisonings involving opioids in 2024.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Blanket hogging, one-sided cocooning, temperature mismatches, and unintentional comforter hogging are among the reasons couples are embracing the same bed, separate bedding trend.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026
Smith voiced concerns about a mandatory life in prison sentence for manslaughter, an unintentional death.
—Marta Zherukha, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later attributed his death to an accidental overdose of ketamine, a hallucinogenic anesthetic that in recent years gained popularity as an off-label, unrelated treatment for depression.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
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His cause of death was later confirmed as an accidental overdose due to cocaine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines and fentanyl.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Street artists and fortune-tellers set up here daily, creating a scene that feels spontaneous every time.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
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With Venus and Uranus entering Gemini in your curious third house on April 24 and 25, sparks could fly through conversation, texts or spontaneous encounters.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And even buildings with strong leasing found lenders unwilling to take a chance on refinancing commercial mortgages in an environment of uncertain leasing prospects.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
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With Congress unwilling to act as a check on executive overreach, and the courts increasingly sidelined, the constitutional safeguards meant to prevent this very scenario have all but collapsed.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As recently as 2022, research group IDinsight found unintended pregnancy was, after a lack of money for school fees, the leading cause of girls not returning to education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Tisch said the shooting is believed to be gang-related, and the baby was an unintended target.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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