as in accidental
happening by chance
an inadvertent encounter with a rattlesnake in the brush
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 inadvertent
Their perspectives should be central to the story, and Theroux’s even inadvertent sidelining of their experiences underscore a deeper issue facing the accurate portrayal of sexism and gender dynamics in documentaries.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Drivers can be fined nearly $5,000 for a single inadvertent drive-time violation, or more than $15,000 for intentional violations.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Auditors found this wasn’t inadvertent, but an intentional action to make the Transportation Trust Fund deficit appear smaller.
—Steve Arentz, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
That keeps You Got Older on the shelf, and draws your eye to the ways the play has become an inadvertent period piece.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadvertent
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Drivers can be fined nearly $5,000 for a single inadvertent drive-time violation, or more than $15,000 for intentional violations.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Auditors found this wasn’t inadvertent, but an intentional action to make the Transportation Trust Fund deficit appear smaller.
—Steve Arentz, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
That keeps You Got Older on the shelf, and draws your eye to the ways the play has become an inadvertent period piece.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadvertent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadvertent
accidental
Adjective
-
An infant’s accidental exposure to an infected child can mean serious illness, brain swelling and sometimes death.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
An infant’s accidental exposure to an infected child can mean serious illness, brain swelling and sometimes death.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadvertent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadvertent. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
