unintentional

adjective

un·​in·​ten·​tion·​al
ˌən-in-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
 How to pronounce unintentional (audio)
: 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
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.
Test strips are used to prevent unintentional consumption of fentanyl in drugs like cocaine, heroin and marijuana, which are sometimes laced with synthetic opioids. Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025 Yang also produced some unintentional comedy due to his total lack of familiarity with the defensive-three-seconds rule. John Hollinger, New York Times, 23 July 2025 The collection saw a prominent use of colors such as red, yellow, and green, mirroring the colors of the Ghanaian flag—though this was unintentional. Ezreen Benissan, Essence, 7 July 2025 One of the most destructive, and sometimes unintentional, issues that crop up in relationships is taking each other for granted. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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