incidental 1 of 2

adjective

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl How to pronounce incidental (audio)
Definition of incidentalnext
1
as in accidental
happening by chance an incidental meeting of two ships in the middle of the Atlantic

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in minor
lacking importance we still have to work out a few incidental details, but the proposal is largely complete

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incidental

2 of 2

noun

as in nonessential

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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 incidental
Adjective
The statute, Government Code section 8314, carries civil penalties, and violations beyond incidental use can be prosecuted as felonies. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The insects also develop in quince and are reported to be incidental in plums, pears, tart cherries, and certain other members of the rose family. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
And that’s on top of costly airfare, lodging, match tickets, and other incidentals required to attend the games. — Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026 Officials ruled the hit incidental, though Olszewski left the game and didn’t return with a head injury. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 4 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incidental
  1. accidental
  2. minor
  3. nonessential
  4. small
  5. filler
  6. little
  7. subsidiary
  8. slight
Adjective
  • But AppleCare One doesn't cover service fees for accidental damage.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Police are investigating the incident as an accidental death.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • Although the mattress developed some minor misshaping after a month of heavy use, Moon still thinks it’s packed with value.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Zachary Christian Cooper, 22, of Boyd was arrested by Department of Public Safety investigators Thursday morning at the Rhome Fire Department, on allegations of online solicitation of a minor and possessing child pornography.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of minor
Noun
  • Anything deemed nonessential would be put on hold, so Americans could experience delays with certain services and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will go without pay.
    — Caitlyn Kim, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of nonessential
Adjective
  • Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Massachusetts ranks third for the annual cost of raising a small child but 18th over 18 years.
    — Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • Revlon’s product page describes the ink as a brow filler with a pointed applicator, available in four shades.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
  • So the two started chatting and wondered if there was a resource where they could get connected to couples having a wedding in their area who needed a seat-filler of sorts.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of filler
Adjective
  • Here's where the high diesel prices add up tough – what little hay there is, is a lot more expensive to harvest.
    — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The prince didn’t have any luck in blocking Kelce, which comes as little surprise given the Chiefs star knows how to avoid defensive players.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of little
Noun
  • In April, a federal jury in Manhattan found that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary illegally maintained monopoly power.
    — James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The need-to-know this morning Roivant and its subsidiary Priovant announced positive results across two Phase 3 studies of their drug Lisraya in non-infectious uveitis, an inflammatory eye disease that can lead to vision loss.
    — Elaine Chen, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of subsidiary
Adjective
  • The Weather Prediction Center has already placed most of South Florida under a Level 2 risk of excessive heavy rainfall with a slight risk of flash flooding on Sunday.
    — Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Yet Georgia coach Kirby Smart wasn’t surprised in the slightest to see Puglisi step in and execute the offense.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of slight

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Cite this Entry

“Incidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incidental. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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