inadvertent

[ in-uhd-vur-tnt ]

See synonyms for inadvertent on Thesaurus.com

adjective

unintentional: an inadvertent insult.
not attentive; heedless.

of, relating to, or characterized by lack of attention.

Origin of inadvertent

First recorded in 1645–55; abstracted from inadvertence, inadvertency

Other words for inadvertent

2	inattentive
3	thoughtless, careless, negligent

See synonyms for inadvertent on Thesaurus.com

Other words from inadvertent

in·ad·vert·ent·ly, adverb

Words Nearby inadvertent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use inadvertent in a sentence

Despite the inadvertent hilarity, the real marvel of our mobile text-correction systems is how astoundingly good they are.
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, July 26, 2014 | The Daily Beast | July 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
There are a number of inadvertent and purposeful ways for universities to skew their Clery Act numbers.
No Rapes On Campus? No Way. | Emily Shire | July 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
However, the tapped confabs gave investigators an inadvertent window on apparently shady dealings of an entirely different nature.
France’s Ex-Prez Sarkozy Placed Under Formal Investigation for Corruption | Tracy McNicoll | July 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The lessons of the “freedom agenda” were mostly inadvertent or tragic.
Bush’s Legacy, Obama’s Choice | Michael Tomasky | April 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Soon Lehrer was owning up to what he claimed were inadvertent errors.
How a Freelance Journalist Unraveled Jonah Lehrer’s Lies | Howard Kurtz | August 1, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

The indignation of our essayist is without doubt most powerfully aroused at the inadvertent use that was made of the sacred name.
A Cursory History of Swearing | Julian Sharman
He spoke rapidly but he could not distract her attention from his inadvertent admission.
Romance of Roman Villas | Elizabeth W. (Elizbeth Williams) Champney
And had his inadvertent shutting off of Sulphur Spring's supply of water stopped their illicit activities?
The Heritage of the Hills | Arthur P. Hankins
Do not forget that I live at the edge of a precipice; an inadvertent footstep, and I crash down to the bottom, to lie mangled.
Tante | Anne Douglas Sedgwick
She liked and even cultivated with daring the inadvertent turns in a day's affairs.
The Little Brown Jug at Kildare | Meredith Nicholson

British Dictionary definitions for inadvertent

inadvertent

/ (ˌɪnədˈvɜːtənt) /

adjective

failing to act carefully or considerately; inattentive
resulting from heedless action; unintentional

Derived forms of inadvertent

inadvertently, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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