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
That same year, the Beatles gave the vehicle a major, although perhaps unintentional, endorsement.
—
Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Feb. 2025
Of course, the unintentional gross-out performance did nothing to stop Ferguson's Hollywood ascent.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Consuming too much oil may cause unintentional weight gain or interfere with weight loss goals.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Feb. 2025
Customers who respond on LG’s website will get a warning label that comes with placement instructions and a reminder for customers to push a lock button when the range isn’t in use to prevent unintentional activation of the stove.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Feb. 2025
Of course, the unintentional gross-out performance did nothing to stop Ferguson's Hollywood ascent.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Consuming too much oil may cause unintentional weight gain or interfere with weight loss goals.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Feb. 2025
Customers who respond on LG’s website will get a warning label that comes with placement instructions and a reminder for customers to push a lock button when the range isn’t in use to prevent unintentional activation of the stove.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
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Cena later handed that watch over to Scott, who entered the fray and started unwinding on Rhodes; wrestling fans on social media are debating whether Scott made actual (and accidental) contact with the bloodied Rhodes, who seemed to genuinely wince after Scott’s punches.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2025
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Mummification is the intentional or accidental preservation of a body after death.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Creates opportunities for mentorship and career development through spontaneous interactions.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Those days of spontaneous travel and memorable experiences don't have to be over.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Trump Administration appears unwilling to let Europe leverage its noisy but dilatory contributions to the Ukraine war into a seat at the negotiating table.—
The Wall Street Journal,
Twin Cities,
28 Feb. 2025
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Among the 15 people who work at Duffy’s is Russell’s long-time business partner Jim Fab, who still toils in the kitchen making soups and sauces and whatever else needs done, long past retirement age but unwilling to stop working.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Root Cause: How The ACA Shaped This Conflict At its core, this battle is a byproduct of the Affordable Care Act’s unintended consequences.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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But, according to Beth Romer, retail expert and owner of digital marketing agency L&L Collective, there can be unintended consequences from a boycott.—
Kevin Williams,
Quartz,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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