unintentional

adjective

un·​in·​ten·​tion·​al
ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
 How to pronounce unintentional (audio)
: 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
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.
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 While wildfires are a natural phenomenon, human actions — both intentional and unintentional — have amplified their devastation. Natasha Navarra, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 The top three unintentional causes of death were vehicle crashes, drownings and falls, the park service said. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025 And in many colder places, hypothermia is the second most common cause of unintentional death, after vehicle accidents. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 29 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near unintentional

Cite this Entry

“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unintentional

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