inadvertent

adjective

ˌi-nəd-ˈvər-tᵊnt How to pronounce inadvertent (audio)
Definition of inadvertentnext
as in accidental
happening by chance an inadvertent encounter with a rattlesnake in the brush

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of inadvertent However, after Monday's inadvertent alarm, the office is looking at that policy. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 10 June 2026 Often, high achievers can get separated from the group, which creates an inadvertent spirit of isolationism, separating them from their peers and thereby creating an us-versus-them mentality. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 June 2026 Additionally, the inadvertent retractor pretensioner deployment, in some cases, can also cause injury to the occupant due to rapid seatbelt retraction. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 June 2026 In 141 breaches and inadvertent data releases between 2023 and 2025, the comptroller’s office found officials delayed reporting 48% of incidents to the New York State Education Department, and held up notifying families about 11% of the time. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for inadvertent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadvertent
accidental
Adjective
  • Chomentowski lost her son in 2020 to an accidental drug overdose.
    — Brianna Wallen, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
  • Police said Rushing's cause of death was likely an accidental drowning.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of accidental

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inadvertent
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Cite this Entry

“Inadvertent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadvertent. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inadvertent

Nglish: Translation of inadvertent for Spanish Speakers

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