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

Synonyms of unintentional

• accidental

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

This study analyzed national emergency department data over a 16-year period, from 2007 through 2022, focusing on unintentional injuries among children 5 and under. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 May 2026

Federal statistics tally more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths each year, with rates increasing in the summer. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 May 2026

Skipping payments is not an unintentional consequence of saving for debt settlement, though. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

The collision was unintentional, and occurred when the vehicle failed to stay on the right side of the road, officials said. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unintentional

• interventional
• nonconventional
• nondimensional
• unconventional
• attentional
• conventional
• dimensional
• extensional
• intensional
• intentional
• multidimensional
• unidimensional