1
as in chance
happening by chance
finding the gold was all the more remarkable because its discovery was entirely accidental
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irrelevant
not being a vital part of or belonging to something
we're considering the painting's merit as a work of art, its commercial value being entirely accidental as far as we're concerned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of accidental
Could these experiments, it was asked, produce accidental black holes — devouring Earth — or even conditions that might tip the Universe, cataclysmically, into a new physical state?
—
Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 15 Sep. 2025
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), enacted in 1970, mandates child-resistant packaging for hazardous household substances and medications to reduce accidental poisonings among children under 5.
—Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Such action by Russia, either intentional or accidental, has raised the risk of widening the war by drawing other countries directly into the conflict.
—Matt Spetalnick, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
On the durability side, the Air features Ceramic Shield 2 coating, which Apple claims resists scratches and accidental drops better than before.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accidental
Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 15 Sep. 2025
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), enacted in 1970, mandates child-resistant packaging for hazardous household substances and medications to reduce accidental poisonings among children under 5.
—Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Such action by Russia, either intentional or accidental, has raised the risk of widening the war by drawing other countries directly into the conflict.
—Matt Spetalnick, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
On the durability side, the Air features Ceramic Shield 2 coating, which Apple claims resists scratches and accidental drops better than before.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accidental
Adjective
-
Getty Images The album might seem irrelevant to a majority of music listeners, who now go for individual tracks and make playlists on their favorite streaming service.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The question of whether or not Uniqlo is fast fashion or sustainable fashion or ethical fashion has perhaps become irrelevant in a world in which fashion—no modifier needed—is increasingly culpable for the ravaging of the planet.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, absolutely Even if many Newcastle fans may never want to hear the name ‘Alexander Isak’ again, the Sweden international has left an inadvertent financial gift for his former club.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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At one point during the argument, Barrow's fist allegedly made inadvertent contact with his wife's facial area, sports journalist Andy Slater reported, citing police.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Scientists also revealed that a breakthrough allows ULIS to function wirelessly, as an isolated unit that can be controlled and monitored without external cables.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This includes the emotional well-being of the individual as well as the immediate external environment; their home.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For Cain, testifying at Craig's trial had unexpected emotional weight.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
19 Sep. 2025
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Another unexpected face on the runway?—
Kerry McDermott,
Vogue,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Although individual plants have a lifespan of 30-90 years, adventitious shoots grow up from roots.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
5 July 2025
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The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker.—
Mark Greif,
Harper's Magazine,
26 July 2024
Adjective
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The microscope was an unintentional by-product of the VideoDisc technology the company had been struggling to bring to market since the mid-1960s.—
Allison Marsh,
IEEE Spectrum,
17 Sep. 2025
-
An unintentional walk of Lee and an intentional walk of Casey Schmitt brought Bailey to the plate with the game on the line.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Those new to options trading should understand basic terms (e.g., premiums, extrinsic and intrinsic value, moneyness) and know the Greeks (measurements of an option’s sensitivity to various factors).—
Michael Martin,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Is your motivation for doing well extrinsic or intrinsic?—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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Amber Batteiger, a veterinary technician, told Newsweek that the gesture likely is not just incidental.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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But by the end, in its rush, the movie still hasn’t quite come up with a point of view on whether McCartney really got over his bust-up with Lennon with a little help from his Wings friends, or whether forming a band was ultimately incidental to overcoming any lingering separation anxiety.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accidental. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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