INADVERTENTLY Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

inadvertently

adverb

as in accidentally

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of inadvertently His tackle and Balogun’s tackles were similar, in that neither is malicious, but both inadvertently put opponents at risk of serious or actual injury. — Luke Bosher, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Porsche inadvertently kicked off the trend with the Cayenne, Lamborghini followed later with the Urus, and even Ferrari hopped aboard the bandwagon with the Purosangue. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 2 July 2026 When the Bosnian defender planted his right leg below Balogun’s right foot, the American inadvertently stomped on his right ankle, twisting it awkwardly. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 The company is worried that outputs from rival models could inadvertently seep into its own training data, a practice known as distillation that may violate Claude and Codex usage agreements. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 June 2026 This could inadvertently create a legal profession divided by technology, hindering smaller firms' ability to compete. — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 But the mapmaker drew Lake Michigan just a smidge too far north…inadvertently creating a section of land, called the Toledo Strip, that both Michigan and Ohio had reason to claim. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026 His decision to put Iggy Pop‘s voice and James Williamson’s wild guitar melodies up front (while keeping the volume low on the rhythm section) inadvertently created a template used by bands from the Sex Pistols to the White Stripes and beyond. — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 Advertisement An epic chase The Minions make their way to Hollywood, but not before getting inadvertently involved in a high-stakes train heist that pays tribute to both The Great Train Robbery (1903) and The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906). — Barry Levitt, Time, 3 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadvertently

Adverb

Miners flooded the dusty flats surrounding this area after three Irish prospectors, who had immigrated to Australia in the hopes of making their fortunes, accidentally stumbled across gold while looking for water in 1893.

— Justin Meneguzzi, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Iraq, Canada, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Qatar, Saudi Arabia After accidentally cursing President Saddam Hussein on stage, theater actor Salem convinces a military court of his insanity to escape a death sentence.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 July 2026

Definition of accidentally

Adverb

But Balogun may have unwittingly played a role in the team’s demise as well.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Storied actor Judd Hirsch played Daniel’s lovably neurotic father, who finds himself unwittingly along for the top-secret ride.

— Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Definition of unwittingly

Adverb

But the ball unintentionally touched multiple players before, and a slight head touch led to the ruling.

— Alex Connor, USA Today, 3 July 2026
The organization says roughly half of those deaths occur after a parent or caregiver unintentionally leaves a child inside a vehicle.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of unintentionally

Adverb

But aside from the virtually non-existent rear visibility and my tendency to unconsciously favor the left side of the lane due to the car’s central seating position, the 21C is remarkably easy to acclimate to.

— Bradley Iger, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Many liberals had been disciplined to adopt methods that purported to strictly confine legal interpretation, only to discover that their most prominent adherents, whether covertly or unconsciously, had other plans.

— Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 July 2026

Definition of unconsciously

Adverb

Dean Fleischer Camp directed the film, which was originally meant to stream on Disney+, but fortuitously, things changed and, in 2024, the film was given a theatrical release.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 June 2026
Some folks in the band’s organization initially wanted to partner with a big beer company, but fortuitously, somebody countered idea with Dogfish Head.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026

Definition of fortuitously

Adverb

Officials said activities connected to people ‒ from fireworks to carelessly discarded cigarettes ‒ have sparked 75% of wildfires in Utah in 2026.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Under a new Douglas County ordinance, illegally operating an OHV, driving one carelessly or recklessly, and not wearing a helmet if under 18 could land you with up to a $1,000 fine.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 24 June 2026

Definition of carelessly

Browse Nearby Words

inadvertent

inadvertently

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“Inadvertently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadvertently. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of inadvertently

adverb

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