1
as in accidental
happening by chance
an incidental meeting of two ships in the middle of the Atlantic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
as in nonessential
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 incidental
Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Since Wilmore and Williams spent 286 days in space, this amounts to $1,430 in incidental pay for each astronaut.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
These can last from three to eight weeks; Most major airlines will pay you a basic stipend during training (with the exception of American Airlines), but be sure to have some savings in the bank to cover incidentals.
—Niccolo Serratt, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incidental
Adjective
Critics argue that the lack of a minimum threshold or tolerance for incidental supplies to non-registered customers makes the regime unnecessarily rigid.
—Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Since Wilmore and Williams spent 286 days in space, this amounts to $1,430 in incidental pay for each astronaut.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
Concert-goers spent an average $1,300 per show on incidentals—transportation, accommodation, dining, shopping—over and above the cost of tickets, according to research from Skift.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
These can last from three to eight weeks; Most major airlines will pay you a basic stipend during training (with the exception of American Airlines), but be sure to have some savings in the bank to cover incidentals.
—Niccolo Serratt, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incidental
Adjective
-
The coroner’s office ruled the deaths accidental due to blunt force trauma.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Which brings us back to Johnson, an accidental Speaker whose majority is on the cusp and his loyalty is at best marginal.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.—
William B. Davis,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Three other family members, two children and one 19-year-old, suffered minor wounds.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The satin finish dress featured a mock neckline with a small cutout and included cap sleeves.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Teeny loves keeping the German shepherds and Bernese Mountain dog in line, despite being much smaller.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Then there are other injectables such as filler, which Wollman does twice a year in her lips.—
Lindy Segal,
Glamour,
11 Apr. 2025
-
If using a filler, find gluten-free bread crumbs that don't have other common allergens.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For starters, the clear formula comes in a cute little bottle that looks more like a serum than tanning drops.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Even with Hollywood’s diminished state in China, the film business is one sector where the U.S. maintains a sizable trade surplus with its geopolitical rival, as Chinese films, despite their enormous earnings in the home market, have made little headway with mainstream North American moviegoers.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This high-end brand is a subsidiary of GE that gets its claim to fame for merging modern design with high-quality performance.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The Italian footwear and sportswear brand Diadora, founded in 1948, is a subsidiary of Geox.—
Simon Mainwaring,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The rear camera's OIS yields mostly smooth video, but there's some slight bumpiness here and there.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Dawn came on chilly with a slight overcast and a light breeze.—
Jeffrey A. Brunk,
Outdoor Life,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While Samsung and Google will throw in some freebies, store credit or access to subscription services, Amazon’s no-thrill deals involve the device with no extras.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Professional Background Professional background extras know how to portray everyday things like busy New Yorkers walking down the street, posh guests at a cocktail party, or workers to board a bus.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incidental. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share