unintended

adjective

un·​in·​tend·​ed ˌən-in-ˈten-dəd 

: not planned as a purpose or goal : not deliberate or intended

an unintended consequence/effect

an unintended pregnancy

Synonyms

• accidental
• casual
• chance
• fluky
• flukey
• fortuitous
• inadvertent
• incidental
• unintentional
• unplanned
• unpremeditated
• unwitting

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

This undemocratic system is an unintended consequence of Colorado imposing term limits in the 1990s. —Bob Marshall, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025

The bottom line: Harm-reduction advocates say the unintended consequence of the state scheduling of xylazine is that the local drug supply becomes even more unpredictable. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025

Here are three examples of how protectionist policies can lead to unintended consequences. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 2 Apr. 2025

Without clear safeguards, this could lead to unintended consequences, including identity misuse or unauthorized facial recognition applications. —Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unintended

• apprehended
• comprehended
• condescended
• recommended
• resuspended
• unamended
• unattended
• undefended
• undescended
• unexpended
• amended
• appended