unintended

adjective

un·​in·​tend·​ed ˌən-in-ˈten-dəd How to pronounce unintended (audio)
Synonyms of unintendednext
: not planned as a purpose or goal : not deliberate or intended
an unintended consequence/effect
an unintended pregnancy

Examples of unintended in a Sentence

backyard digging that resulted in unintended damage to buried phone wires a response that yielded an unintended insight into her personal character
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The unintended consequence was light pollution, and in a country with deep astronomical roots—both Johannes Kepler and Tycho Brahe had worked in an observatory there under imperial patronage—that mattered. Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026 Without that, the unintended outcomes, such as broken connectivity, security exposure or unintended access, cannot be prevented. Nikhil Handigol, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 Georgia leaders and legislators have repeatedly called for clearer accountability for the unintended consequences of police chases. Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 27 May 2026 And that has been an unintended consequence of the greater professionalism in the game. Paul Newman, New York Times, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unintended

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintended was in 1649

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unintended.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintended. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

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