UNINTENTIONALLY Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

unintentionally

adverb

as in inadvertently

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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 In one scenario, Irregular also gave the models a fictional target company whose name unintentionally matched the domain of a real website. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The program was designed for people who unintentionally fell out of compliance, which describes most expats who have fallen behind. — Nathalie Goldstein, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 In 2022, a Chinese rocket unintentionally hit the moon following a lunar mission, and many more stray rocket pieces likely struck the moon in decades past without scientists’ knowledge. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 However, that urgency cannot justify policy decisions that unintentionally exacerbate, rather than mitigate, harm. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2026 Our research suggests that schools and other organizations may unintentionally amplify that mental load by directing more requests toward mothers. — Kristy Buzard, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026 Reacting emotionally or giving in to whining can unintentionally reinforce the behavior. — Debby Waldman, Parents, 3 Aug. 2026 Left unmanaged, these competing priorities can result in the groups unintentionally sabotaging each other’s efforts. — Ganna Pogrebna, Harvard Business Review, 31 July 2026 The second note, addressed to the Guthrie family, was shorter and claimed that Nancy had died unintentionally. — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentionally

Adverb

Created by Tessa Coates, Ride or Die is a spy action comedy about an assassin, Judith (Waddingham) whose latest case inadvertently involves her best friend of more than 20 years, Debbie (Spencer), a politician’s wife.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
While catching tuna, fishing vessels also inadvertently catch other species, like sharks.

— NPR, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of inadvertently

Adverb

The Workforce Risk No One Briefed You On Most insider threat programs were built for a specific problem like the employee who shares credentials, accidentally exposes data or leaves with proprietary files, but that’s not the reality of today.

— Steve Wilson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
And while there’s fun to be had with the premise of the three characters constantly and accidentally switching places — most often in the middle of a space fight) — the meandering script unfortunately tries to do too much.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of accidentally

Adverb

In 2002, two years after the events of the first film, three ghost hunters unwittingly awaken the Marionette.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
The 35-year-old from Kimberly had unwittingly rolled into a mass shooting that would leave three victims dead and at least seven others wounded on the edge of the Snake River Gorge.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of unwittingly

Adverb

His opinion will be better received, and people will unconsciously be giving his appearance green flags and listening without any distraction.

— Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
There is also bias at play, which affects decision-making, even unconsciously.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026

Definition of unconsciously

Adverb

And fortuitously, Napalm Death, who played a 19-minute set, espouse the same lefty politics as NPR, in fact maybe even a little more leftist, all things considered, since Barney Greenway wore a Crass T-shirt to the gig.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Dean Fleischer Camp directed the film, which was originally meant to stream on Disney+, but fortuitously, things changed and, in 2024, the film was given a theatrical release.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 June 2026

Definition of fortuitously

Adverb

Folsom’s order keeping the grace period in effect concluded that plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their constitutional challenge of the law because arbitrarily disenfranchise voters due to mail delays beyond their control.

— Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
In theory, this means any two spins could be moved around arbitrarily, brought into proximity, and entangled.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026

Definition of arbitrarily

Adverb

People continue to mill around the Jeep, chatting casually, trying to understand what has happened.

— Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Made from a lightweight linen-blend material, it can be styled casually on travel days with white sneakers or dressed up for a nice dinner with strappy sandals.

— Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of casually

Browse Nearby Words

unintentional

unintentionally

uninterested

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“Unintentionally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentionally. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unintentionally

adverb

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