unintended

adjective

un·​in·​tend·​ed ˌən-in-ˈten-dəd How to pronounce unintended (audio)
: not planned as a purpose or goal : not deliberate or intended
an unintended consequence/effect
an unintended pregnancy

Examples of unintended in a Sentence

backyard digging that resulted in unintended damage to buried phone wires a response that yielded an unintended insight into her personal character
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.
Uniting Disciplines Fragmentation within modern construction trades creates conditions for costly unintended consequences, given the complexity of today’s buildings, which can comprise millions of components. Francesco Iorio, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 This suggests that sleeping medications have the unintended consequence of interfering with the brain’s way of flushing away dangerous waste. Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2025 Additionally, the increase in Social Security benefits could lead to unintended consequences, such as affecting eligibility for other benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP and property tax relief programs. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 The other unintended consequence of fudging the truth is the erosion of the public’s faith in expertise, a problem that is contributing to people putting their children at risk by skipping childhood vaccines. F.d. Flam, The Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unintended 

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintended was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near unintended

Cite this Entry

“Unintended.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintended. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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