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

Recent Examples on the Web But the recent die-off of salmon fry was unintentional. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Moreover, providing feedback can open companies up to potential legal challenges, even if unintentional. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Fifty percent of these are unintentional overdoses. Kayla Bartsch, National Review, 28 Jan. 2024 Fidgeting, excessive hand movements, or unintentional pacing can be perceived as signs of nervousness or lack of confidence. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Nearly three-quarters of unintentional deaths over the past 10 years have been male, the release said. The Arizona Republic, 25 Feb. 2024 The unintentional discharge occurred about 10 p.m. at the Temple City sheriff’s station, officials said. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024 Officer Andrew Nielsen will serve a 10-day disciplinary suspension over the unintentional shot, according to a Jan. 22 disciplinary letter released to The Denver Post on Friday. Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024 Officers arrested the woman, Josephine Arlanda Edwards, and the Ramsey County attorney’s office charged her Friday with second-degree unintentional murder while committing assault. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unintentional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintentional was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near unintentional

Cite this Entry

“Unintentional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintentional. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unintentional

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