ACCIDENTAL Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'accidental' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of accidental are casual , contingent , and fortuitous . While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," accidental stresses chance. // any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

Q: When might 'casual' be a better fit than 'accidental'?

In some situations, the words casual and accidental are roughly equivalent. However, casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent. // a casual encounter with a stranger

Q: When is it sensible to use 'contingent' instead of 'accidental'?

While in some cases nearly identical to accidental , contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence. // the contingent effects of the proposed law

Q: When can 'fortuitous' be used instead of 'accidental'?

While the synonyms fortuitous and accidental are close in meaning, fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause. // a series of fortuitous events

accidental

adjective

ˌak-sə-ˈden-tᵊl

Definition of accidental next

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective accidental differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of accidental are casual, contingent, and fortuitous. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

When might casual be a better fit than accidental?

In some situations, the words casual and accidental are roughly equivalent. However, casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When is it sensible to use contingent instead of accidental?

While in some cases nearly identical to accidental, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

When can fortuitous be used instead of accidental?

While the synonyms fortuitous and accidental are close in meaning, fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of accidental Starring Jacob Fortune-Lloyd in the lead role, the film charts Epstein’s life as a gay, Jewish maverick who was instrumental in the Beatles’ rise before his death, of an accidental drug overdose, in 1967. —

Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 12 Dec. 2024 Ryan So, including that a responding officer reported that a detective viewed surveillance footage and determined the firearm discharge was accidental. —

Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024 While closely studying the pieces under a microscope, the team concluded that the burning likely occurred quickly after their deaths and was accidental. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2024 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel conducted a first-of-its-kind analysis of accidental shootings where children are hurt or killed in Wisconsin, covering 2016 to December 2024. —

John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accidental

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accidental

Adjective

Authority figures disproportionately influence decisions, even when their preferences are irrelevant.

Shanna Apitz, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In the box score, the Cincinnati Bengals’ 37-27 victory against the Tennessee Titans will look like a largely irrelevant game between two teams no longer a real factor in the playoff chase (though the Bengals are holding on to the slimmest of hopes).

Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024