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
Across airports and aircraft, many older passengers encounter—or unintentionally create—the same challenges.
—
Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Though it should be noted that these programs do not directly address co-occurring mental health issues and could unintentionally reinforce unhelpful behaviors.
—Gwilym Roddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Stepchildren are not automatically considered legal heirs unless they are legally adopted, so they must be specifically named in estate planning documents or risk being unintentionally disinherited.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
The pair appeared to be back in friendly territory until Curtis unintentionally dissed both Fallon and horror filmmaker Jason Blum at the same time during their conversation.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
And throughout the years, unexpectedly and unintentionally, Out On A Limb has bumped up against world news events that Martinez said only make the work feel even more poignant and timely.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
But, as well-meaning people sometimes do, the nanny managed to unintentionally give Sarah one more round of hell.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Iran’s regime and its terrorism multipliers, Hamas and Hezbollah, have unintentionally magnified Israel’s security.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Some city policies may unintentionally put some of this pressure on residents through fines and similar actions, according to Guzman.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Though it should be noted that these programs do not directly address co-occurring mental health issues and could unintentionally reinforce unhelpful behaviors.
—Gwilym Roddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Stepchildren are not automatically considered legal heirs unless they are legally adopted, so they must be specifically named in estate planning documents or risk being unintentionally disinherited.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
The pair appeared to be back in friendly territory until Curtis unintentionally dissed both Fallon and horror filmmaker Jason Blum at the same time during their conversation.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
And throughout the years, unexpectedly and unintentionally, Out On A Limb has bumped up against world news events that Martinez said only make the work feel even more poignant and timely.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
But, as well-meaning people sometimes do, the nanny managed to unintentionally give Sarah one more round of hell.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Iran’s regime and its terrorism multipliers, Hamas and Hezbollah, have unintentionally magnified Israel’s security.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Some city policies may unintentionally put some of this pressure on residents through fines and similar actions, according to Guzman.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentionally
Adverb
-
Two dissimilar government agencies have inadvertently combined to clarify the immigration debate.—
George F. Will,
Washington Post,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Parents might inadvertently contribute to a child’s avoidant attachment.—
Christin Perry,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Sophie Turner accidentally spoiled the surprise by divulging the cameo casting news at Comic-Con that year — while seated next to Williams.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Never feed bears, intentionally or accidentally.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
And Pearl, while making his team’s case Thursday, unwittingly did a fine job of spelling out the ills of expansion as well.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In one of the play’s loveliest moments, the narrator unwittingly shares his secret project with his college crush, a young woman named Sam who responds in such a compassionate and simpatico manner that a life together is all but assured.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Screen or email apnea happens when someone unconsciously holds their breath or breathes more shallowly while looking at their screen to answer emails or texts, explained Dora Kamau, lead mindfulness and meditation teacher at Headspace.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Any direct influence probably came out unconsciously.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Then, fortuitously, twice as much snow fell in the mountains that winter as usual.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The margins between top teams have shrunk, intangibles such as fit, culture and identity are more impactful than ever and the number of teams that can aspire to win a national championship seems to have expanded, fortuitously, along with the CFP.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Children are not cars whose gas tanks can simply be carelessly overfilled.—
Lauren Arikan,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
-
For the visitors’ winner, Anthony Gordon unwisely attempted to dribble inside his own half and carelessly lost possession.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The dollar amount was chosen arbitrarily based on what voters might accept, and some cynics saw it as a move by a pro-development commission to cozy up to environmentalists.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That standard would uphold the NCAA’s interpretation of the waiver rule so long as the NCAA didn’t act arbitrarily or capriciously, either of which is difficult to show.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Who’s casually driving around Marietta Square with that kind of payload?—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The baby blue shade is on-trend and so easy to dress-up with kitten heels or wear casually with sneakers and a sweater.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unintentionally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentionally. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
