unintentional

adjective

un·​in·​ten·​tion·​al ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce unintentional (audio)
Synonyms of unintentionalnext
: not done by intention or design : not intentional
an unintentional effect
causing unintentional harm/offense
unintentionally adverb
an unintentionally offensive remark

Synonyms of unintentional

Examples of unintentional in a Sentence

an unintentional encounter with an old classmate at the mall an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Both of these items can be used to reduce unintentional noises that can be picked up by the mic. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 There’s unintentional comedy in the earnest impersonations that Assayas’s movie relies on, and it would have been improved by a similarly overt embrace of its absurdities. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 5-14. Libby Smith, CBS News, 13 May 2026 To counteract this unintentional sabotage, start by cleaning your gutters. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unintentional

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintentional was in 1782

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Cite this Entry

“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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