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Synonyms

unintentionally

American  
[uhn-in-ten-shuh-nl-ee] / ˌʌn ɪnˈtɛn ʃə nl i /

adverb

  1. not deliberately or on purpose.

    Properly restricting file sharing will help the user avoid unintentionally granting access to unknown parties.

Etymology

Origin of unintentionally

unintentional ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

US media have reported that American military investigators believe its own forces were likely responsible for hitting the school unintentionally.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The findings revealed how a liver that cannot properly handle metabolic waste can unintentionally create conditions that support cancer development.

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2026

“When you intentionally or unintentionally step away from household finances, you don’t realize right away that you’re losing agency and options, but over time you start to feel it,” Heather says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

Stephen Colletti innocently slicing turkey and unintentionally sparking one of the most wild crashouts in “Traitors” history.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

“Are you a friend?” she asked, which struck me as one of those unintentionally broad and unanswerable questions.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.