unintentional
adjective
un·in·ten·tion·al
ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
: not done by intention or design : not intentional
an unintentional effect
causing unintentional harm/offense
unintentionally
adverb
an unintentionally offensive remark
Examples of unintentional in a Sentence
an unintentional encounter with an old classmate at the mall
an unintentional insult that nevertheless was very hurtful
Recent Examples on the Web
The five leading causes of death among teenagers are unintentional injuries, homicide, suicide, cancer, and heart disease, with accidents accounting for nearly half of all teenage deaths.
—
Charell G. Coleman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Experts believe these deaths are often unintentional, and are sharks simply confusing human kicks for fish splashes.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 2 June 2025
Data from that year shows that 143 people ages 19 and younger died from unintentional injury from a firearm.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Subsequent clips show Bad Bunny threatening a bruised and boxer-clad Hank, and Regina King trying to help the unintentional accomplice out of the pickle that he’s suddenly found himself in.
—Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
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.
Charell G. Coleman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Experts believe these deaths are often unintentional, and are sharks simply confusing human kicks for fish splashes.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 2 June 2025
Data from that year shows that 143 people ages 19 and younger died from unintentional injury from a firearm.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Subsequent clips show Bad Bunny threatening a bruised and boxer-clad Hank, and Regina King trying to help the unintentional accomplice out of the pickle that he’s suddenly found himself in.
—Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unintentional
Cite this Entry
“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share