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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unintentional
The judge said the standard on the first factor is that a defendant’s actions were more cruel than a typical second-degree unintentional murder.
—
Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2025
This can lead to duplication of work, unintentional gaps and frustration among team members.
—Leyda Lazo, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
These new regulations are meant to reduce the chances of intentional or unintentional targeting of white sharks, which not only harms the animals but also increases public safety risks.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Swear words uttered under such circumstances are usually unintentional.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2025
This can lead to duplication of work, unintentional gaps and frustration among team members.
—Leyda Lazo, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
These new regulations are meant to reduce the chances of intentional or unintentional targeting of white sharks, which not only harms the animals but also increases public safety risks.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Swear words uttered under such circumstances are usually unintentional.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentional
Adjective
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And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have gotten rid of divisions that oversee databases on things like accidental deaths and injuries, including fatal shootings, poisonings and motor vehicle crashes.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Their partnership was born from an accidental introduction at a content conference in Miami.—
Matthew Kayse,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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What begins as a seemingly spontaneous family journey gradually reveals deeper layers of both grief and resilience, as Ella starts to sense that her father’s intentions may be masking a more profound truth.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2025
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Additional footage showed the family breaking out into spontaneous dance moments after the selection was made.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Rival Delta Air Lines DAL.N is also unwilling to pay tariffs on aircraft deliveries, saying the duties would upset its math.—
Rajesh Kumar Singh,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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Schatz himself was unwilling to discuss his internal whip count in a brief hallway interview.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Doing so can both clear the air and avoid unintended harmful consequences.—
Kwame Anthony Appiah,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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Leaning on enterprise partners, especially those in highly regulated fields, can help finance businesses ensure the data underpinning AI is kept secure and private, as well as free from bias and unintended consequences.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintentional. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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