ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
1
as in accidental
happening by chance
an unintentional encounter with an old classmate at the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spontaneous
not made or done willingly or by choice
an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of unintentional
Despite the strong similarity, the modern duo swear that the homage was unintentional.
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EW.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Excessive in-app ads or high-pressure purchase tactics may indicate malicious intent, such as tricking you into unintentional purchases.
—Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
From the crevice of his ear to the shoelaces on his Converse sneakers, he’s covered entirely in unintentional paint splatters.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
In Wisconsin, there were 123 unintentional gun deaths between 2004 and 2021, with the largest category being ages 18 to 29 with 36 deaths.
—John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unintentional 
EW.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Excessive in-app ads or high-pressure purchase tactics may indicate malicious intent, such as tricking you into unintentional purchases.
—Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
From the crevice of his ear to the shoelaces on his Converse sneakers, he’s covered entirely in unintentional paint splatters.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
In Wisconsin, there were 123 unintentional gun deaths between 2004 and 2021, with the largest category being ages 18 to 29 with 36 deaths.
—John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
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DeGuerin showed Morales just how plausible an accidental shooting would be with this type of gun.Morgan Canty, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2025
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Rogers police officers testified at the trial that evidence showed the shooting was accidental, which is why a warrant for manslaughter was issued for the teen's arrest.Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The spontaneous TikTok video has struck a chord with many viewers on the platform who weighed in on how the brand styled its stores in the past.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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There are benefits to being in the same space—like brainstorming in real-time, spontaneous problem-solving, and just reconnecting as a team.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Talks in Qatar have focused on narrowing long-standing gaps between Hamas and Israel, with both sides unwilling to compromise on key demands.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
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But the findings offer a promising starting point for those who may be unwilling or unable to engage in more traditional workouts.Hannah Singleton, Health, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near unintentional
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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