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.
The executive order equates these cartels with organizations like the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda, broadening legal tools for the U.S. to combat cartel operations but raising fears of unintended consequences. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025 And, sometimes, production choices can have unintended consequences. Kayti Burt, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025 The industry predicted unintended consequences from the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, which limited punitive fees and required card issuers to alert customers before hiking rates, among other reforms. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025 The initiatives are intended to prevent unintended consequences of the new ordinances that could counter the city's goals of reducing its homelessness crisis. Jason Clayworth, Axios, 6 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!