unintentionally

adverb

as in inadvertently

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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 unintentionally But the ball unintentionally touched multiple players before, and a slight head touch led to the ruling. — Alex Connor, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Jellyfish are also passive drifters, meaning that they are often unintentionally carried towards shore by powerful ocean currents. — New Atlas, 30 June 2026 The organization says roughly half of those deaths occur after a parent or caregiver unintentionally leaves a child inside a vehicle. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 Nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by people, both intentionally and unintentionally, such as when power lines fail or campfires are left unattended. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 The Internet has unintentionally killed the suspense for nearly everything, up to and including concerts. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026 Leaders who lack this awareness may unintentionally create friction, slowing progress despite strong technical capabilities. — Michele Nealon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Board members amended the proposal Thursday after raising concerns that the original language could unintentionally affect students living outside the United States who enroll in online programs at Florida universities. — Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 During a recent interview with Parade, Murray reflected on bringing Hilary Duff as his date to the 2003 Freaky Friday premiere — a decision that unintentionally landed him in the middle of one of the biggest teen celebrity feuds of the early 2000s, between Duff and Lohan. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintentionally
  1. inadvertently
  2. accidentally
  3. unwittingly
  4. unconsciously
  5. fortuitously
  6. carelessly
  7. arbitrarily
  8. casually
Adverb
  • The article identifies five common phrases leaders use that inadvertently damage morale.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The company is worried that outputs from rival models could inadvertently seep into its own training data, a practice known as distillation that may violate Claude and Codex usage agreements.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 June 2026
Definition of inadvertently
Adverb
  • The investigation revealed Damarion accidentally shot Jonah inside the residence, per the three outlets.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Initially on Thursday, Newburyport officials said 60,000 gallons of wastewater were accidentally dumped into the river in Haverhill, which is upstream.
    — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 28 June 2026
Definition of accidentally
Adverb
  • Over the ensuing centuries, well-meaning conservators applied glue to prevent paint from flaking away, unwittingly speeding the frescoes’ deterioration.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 29 June 2026
  • But most canoeists unwittingly pass right over them.
    — Hank Bradshaw, Outdoor Life, 24 June 2026
Definition of unwittingly
Adverb
  • Psychologists Elaine Hatfield, John Cacioppo and Richard Rapson described a process called emotional contagion, in which emotional states are unconsciously transmitted between people.
    — James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • When ear met in 2024 at transfer student orientation at Bard, both were emerging from their own antisocial caves, unconsciously looking for their other half.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Definition of unconsciously
Adverb
  • Dean Fleischer Camp directed the film, which was originally meant to stream on Disney+, but fortuitously, things changed and, in 2024, the film was given a theatrical release.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 June 2026
  • Some folks in the band’s organization initially wanted to partner with a big beer company, but fortuitously, somebody countered idea with Dogfish Head.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of fortuitously
Adverb
  • Officials said activities connected to people ‒ from fireworks to carelessly discarded cigarettes ‒ have sparked 75% of wildfires in Utah in 2026.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Under a new Douglas County ordinance, illegally operating an OHV, driving one carelessly or recklessly, and not wearing a helmet if under 18 could land you with up to a $1,000 fine.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Definition of carelessly
Adverb
  • Discussions on workforce capacity often arbitrarily stop counting at age 64, despite concerns over talent shortages and aging populations.
    — Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Six justices agreed that arbitrarily limiting how much party committees can spend in conjunction with their nominees violates the First Amendment.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 30 June 2026
Definition of arbitrarily
Adverb
  • Nimin High-Waisted Trousers This trouser option comes in short lengths and can be worn casually with comfy sneakers for brunch, or dressed up with a blouse for the office.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • The actress arrived at the stadium sporting tight curls and a red tracksuit, while Swift opted for an all-black ensemble, with a red jacket–which showed her support for the Kansas City Chiefs–casually draped over her shoulders.
    — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 4 July 2026
Definition of casually

Browse Nearby Words

unintentional
unintentionally
uninterested
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of unintentionally for Spanish Speakers

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