as in inadvertently
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 unintentionally
Never click on suspicious links Some scams prompt you to click on a link that takes you to a fake website to gather your personal information or unintentionally download malware onto your computer.
—
Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Between unintentionally funny goofs and allegations of affairs, the casting directors struck gold with this one.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
The delays stemmed from an overnight update to security systems at some school buildings, which unintentionally restricted early access to the buildings.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Authorities say the two surviving victims were likely not with the woman and may have been struck by gunfire unintentionally.
—Laura Fay, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Unlike some shocking royal moments (like Princess Diana's unintentionally sheer skirt when backlit by the sun), this appeared to be an intentional choice—and a fun one at that, since it's now considered one of her best fashion moments.
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 5 Apr. 2026
The Red Sox scored four in the third inning but San Diego got three in the top of the fourth after Machado kicked away a pickoff attempt — perhaps not unintentionally — to put runners on second and third.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
The association warned that by narrowing access to the fund, the proposal could unintentionally discourage employers from hiring people with preexisting health conditions.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
April challenges you to navigate group dynamics with maturity instead of unintentionally burning bridges along the way.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Between unintentionally funny goofs and allegations of affairs, the casting directors struck gold with this one.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
The delays stemmed from an overnight update to security systems at some school buildings, which unintentionally restricted early access to the buildings.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Authorities say the two surviving victims were likely not with the woman and may have been struck by gunfire unintentionally.
—Laura Fay, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Unlike some shocking royal moments (like Princess Diana's unintentionally sheer skirt when backlit by the sun), this appeared to be an intentional choice—and a fun one at that, since it's now considered one of her best fashion moments.
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 5 Apr. 2026
The Red Sox scored four in the third inning but San Diego got three in the top of the fourth after Machado kicked away a pickoff attempt — perhaps not unintentionally — to put runners on second and third.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
The association warned that by narrowing access to the fund, the proposal could unintentionally discourage employers from hiring people with preexisting health conditions.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
April challenges you to navigate group dynamics with maturity instead of unintentionally burning bridges along the way.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentionally
Adverb
-
Turning off your car’s engine prevents heat from the vehicle’s exhaust inadvertently igniting gasoline vapors.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2026
-
As mushroom potency increases without market regulation, consumers may inadvertently ingest more psilocybin than intended, increasing the risk of harm.—
Hollis Karoly,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Use your quick wit when asking questions to avoid accidentally offending anyone.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But having insurance on your e-bike could help reduce the financial pain if your bike is stolen or damaged accidentally.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Rather than receiving traditional care, however, Hylton was unwittingly plunged into a cold experiment in using remote work to offset hospital staffing shortages, which could be a grim portent in an age of AI automation.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Alexander-Arnold has always felt like a footballer unwittingly at the centre of a culture war, someone about whom few people have mild opinions.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
At university, Karp focused his research on how people unconsciously transfer aggression through language.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In presenting the Best Actor winners, Adrien Brody perfectly, if perhaps unconsciously, echoed Johnson’s remarks from more than 50 years earlier.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Sixty years ago, the home opener happened to fortuitously fall during spring break.—
Raymond Daniel Burke,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Even those might be fortuitously timed, as the Thunder and Spurs will likely have nothing to play for other than potential awards quotas.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Treat the produce section carelessly.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Residents were treated carelessly, disrespectfully, insensitively.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
No such rules appear to exist for Saudi Arabia, whose leaders have been accused of arbitrarily arresting, jailing and torturing people who speak out against the government.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Much smaller than originally thought Initially, when discovered in January, it was arbitrarily assumed that Comet MAPS might be rather large, as most Kreutz comets go.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Wear them casually with tennis shoes and a tank top, or dress them up with heeled sandals and a pretty cardigan.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Shortstop Miguel Rojas fully laid out to his left in the second inning to field a sharp grounder off Bo Bichette’s bat, and then casually threw to first to complete the diving play.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unintentionally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentionally. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
