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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It will be laid on the seabed to a depth of up to 4.3 miles (7 km), with some lengths in shallow waters being buried to protect against accidental or intentional interference.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While the photo recreation may seem spontaneous, Evelyn told Newsweek that her mom was the real mastermind behind it.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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Spellbound audiences burst into spontaneous applause.—
Thomas Doherty,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Survivors and their families are often unwilling or unable to come forward due to challenges accessing services, along with fears of stigma, rejection by their family or community and retribution from armed groups.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Unable or unwilling to address their concerns in a humane way, the government decided to take action.—
Edna Bonhomme,
Rolling Stone,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While Elon Musk has emerged as one of President Donald Trump's most loyal supporters—backing his policies and contributing over $300 million to his reelection campaign—the tech mogul's companies are now fearful of the unintended consequences of the administration's aggressive trade measures.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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But the Vancouver case is a stark reminder of surveillance technology’s unintended consequences in American schools.—
Claire Bryan and Sharon Lurye,
The Christian Science Monitor,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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