unintentional

adjective

un·​in·​ten·​tion·​al ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce unintentional (audio)
Synonyms of unintentionalnext
: not done by intention or design : not intentional
an unintentional effect
causing unintentional harm/offense
unintentionally adverb
an unintentionally offensive remark

Synonyms of unintentional

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Examples of unintentional in a Sentence

an unintentional encounter with an old classmate at the mall an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful
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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.
But somewhere in the process, a misread signal or an unintentional breach of a norm that no term sheet mentioned created a rupture that the financial structure could not repair. — Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 The terrible accident happened this past January, leaving the album as an unintentional farewell from an artist who only recently re-emerged on a wider stage. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026 Payment errors occur whenever households receive too much or too little in benefits, regardless of whether anyone intentionally broke the rules, and experts say such over- and under-payments are usually unintentional. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Yet alcohol contributes to millions of deaths globally each year and is linked to cancer, liver disease, unintentional accidents, violence and, importantly, dependence and addiction. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unintentional

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintentional was in 1782

Rhymes for unintentional

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Browse Nearby Words

unintended
unintentional
uninterest
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Cite this Entry

“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unintentional

Nglish: Translation of unintentional for Spanish Speakers

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