1
as in chance
happening by chance
finding the gold was all the more remarkable because its discovery was entirely accidental
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irrelevant
not being a vital part of or belonging to something
we're considering the painting's merit as a work of art, its commercial value being entirely accidental as far as we're concerned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 accidental
Joppatowne High shooter Jaylen Prince, 16, testifies that the fatal shooting of Warren Grant was accidental.
—
Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2025
The accidental killer of strangers who caused her harm?
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 26 May 2025
The coroner found that no foul play was involved, and that his death was accidental.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
The accidental shooting unfolded on Wednesday inside an apartment in northeast D.C., located on 1700 block of Benning Road.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for accidental
Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2025
The accidental killer of strangers who caused her harm?
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 26 May 2025
The coroner found that no foul play was involved, and that his death was accidental.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
The accidental shooting unfolded on Wednesday inside an apartment in northeast D.C., located on 1700 block of Benning Road.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for accidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accidental
Adjective
-
Executives Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: The decision was made to add parking meters at Balboa Park; starting six months earlier is irrelevant.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
-
If investors are now satisfied, the underlying legal structure is irrelevant.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
These inadvertent discriminatory outputs could lead to serious legal and compliance issues and infringe on the privacy rights of individuals.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
There are new economic factors at play that may have the inadvertent effect of slowing fast fashion and overconsumption, which would ultimately reduce industry emissions.—
Karen Dougherty,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
CIVs require unrelated investors and external managers—criteria typical hedge funds meet, but not personal or family trading entities.—
Robert Green,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
With no predators, external threats or competitors, demodex mites have no selective pressures, Perotti explained.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Estate sales are a treasure trove for uncovering vintage clothing, and real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
-
She’s taken her most unexpected pivot yet on this epic kiss-off from Portrait of My Heart, with visceral riffs and overdriven melodies evoking the high-wire emo theatrics that infiltrated MTV during the 33-year-old’s own teenage years.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Lauren Heller Since Sagittarians are willing to try anything once, the Fire sign resembles Lauren's adventitious persona.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker.—
Mark Greif,
Harper's Magazine,
26 July 2024
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
It has been observed that extrinsic rewards can override intrinsic motivations over time.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Our motivations—both intrinsic and extrinsic—propel us to acquire new skills, build meaningful relationships and progressively assert our autonomy by taking control of our actions.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Brennan Johnson scored the lone goal in the 42nd minute after an incidental deflection off Manchester United’s Luke Shaw, sending Spurs to next season’s Champions League.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
-
What’s more, if a shopper isn’t actually visiting a brand or retailer’s site when an AI agent makes a purchase on their behalf, the retailer may lose some incidental sales a human would consider.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Accidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accidental. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share