unintentional
adjective
un·in·ten·tion·al
ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 
: not done by intention or design : not intentional
an unintentional effect
causing unintentional harm/offense
unintentionally
adverb
an unintentionally offensive remark
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
The phrase has been hard to avoid on TikTok, with users making both intentional and unintentional references, ultimately working its way into everyday conversations.
—
Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents aged 1 to 17 years old.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025
For example, a conviction for a lesser criminal offense, such as manslaughter, might allow the accused – or their lawyers – to argue that the killing was unintentional.
—Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
But putting feelings aside, what’s left is an unintentional reliance — and in many cases, investment — right back into the surveillance state.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
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Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents aged 1 to 17 years old.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025
For example, a conviction for a lesser criminal offense, such as manslaughter, might allow the accused – or their lawyers – to argue that the killing was unintentional.
—Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
But putting feelings aside, what’s left is an unintentional reliance — and in many cases, investment — right back into the surveillance state.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
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