accidental

adjective

ˌak-sə-ˈden-tᵊl How to pronounce accidental (audio)
Definition of accidentalnext
1
as in chance
happening by chance finding the gold was all the more remarkable because its discovery was entirely accidental

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irrelevant
not being a vital part of or belonging to something we're considering the painting's merit as a work of art, its commercial value being entirely accidental as far as we're concerned

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective accidental differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of accidental are casual, contingent, and fortuitous. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

When might casual be a better fit than accidental?

In some situations, the words casual and accidental are roughly equivalent. However, casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When is it sensible to use contingent instead of accidental?

While in some cases nearly identical to accidental, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

When can fortuitous be used instead of accidental?

While the synonyms fortuitous and accidental are close in meaning, fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

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 accidental Of the 19 deaths, 15 were reported as natural; one as accidental and three as suicides. — Tj Rhodes, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Aug. 2026 Always review supplement labels for ingredient overlap to prevent accidental overconsumption of nutrients. — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2026 His cause of death was an accidental overdose of prescription pills. — Imani Sumbi, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026 The rope must be long enough to ensure safe play, so there is zero chance of accidental biting when trying to get a more secure hold. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accidental
  1. inadvertent
  2. irrelevant
  3. unexpected
  4. external
  5. unintentional
  6. adventitious
  7. incidental
  8. extrinsic
Adjective
  • Serialization itself is interesting—the inadvertent or almost incidental meaning that can come from putting one thing next to another thing.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Manchester United will make a minor change to their kit for their first home game of the season against Ipswich Town, after an inadvertent breach of Premier League kit regulations against Hull City.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of inadvertent
Adjective
  • Catherine and Alice are such complicated figures that the word likable seems irrelevant to them.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Markets may decide that the long lead time required to rebuild Venezuelan production makes the agreement largely irrelevant to near-term supply.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of irrelevant
Adjective
  • Alongside grapefruit and bergamot, an Earl Grey tea accord adds unexpected warmth.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • An unexpected benefit of this process is that its solid carbon byproduct turned out to be graphite, a material used in batteries and electrodes that the US currently imports.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of unexpected
Adjective
  • Build One Capability Beyond Your Current Role Build one capability beyond the current role through a deliberate stretch assignment, cross-functional project, certification or external contribution.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In terms of vacation homes, this style typically means open living rooms and external walls with solid lower portions.
    — Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of external
Adjective
  • But leaving a stone or steel in the bottom of your oven could subject it to unintentional splatters and spills.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Chronic disease can lead to loss of weight and muscle, and unintentional weight loss can be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unintentional
Adjective
  • Although individual plants have a lifespan of 30-90 years, adventitious shoots grow up from roots.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 July 2025
  • The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker.
    — Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024
Definition of adventitious
Adjective
  • Serialization itself is interesting—the inadvertent or almost incidental meaning that can come from putting one thing next to another thing.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • That included nearly $12,000 for Marshall’s airfare and transportation, more than $6,000 for the senator’s per diem and $689 in incidental expenses.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of incidental
Adjective
  • Educational psychology provides a useful framework for understanding this phenomenon through the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
    — Jason Benedict, Fortune, 7 July 2026
  • Extrinsic rewards, such as grades, do so because extrinsic desires tend to crowd out intrinsic ones.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Definition of extrinsic

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Cite this Entry

“Accidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accidental. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on accidental

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about accidental

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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