What is the opposite of “intentional”?

What is the antonym of “intentional”?

The antonyms of intentional are unintentional, accidental, and inadvertent. These words describe actions or events that happen without purpose or planning.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

unintentional

Not done on purpose; happening by chance or without intention.

Example

She made an unintentional mistake in her report, but it didn't affect the overall outcome.

accidental

Happening by chance or without intention; not planned or deliberate.

Example

He had an accidental fall while hiking in the mountains and broke his leg.

inadvertent

Not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning; unintentional.

Example

The company's decision to lay off employees was inadvertent and caused a lot of confusion.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Unintentional implies that something happened without any planning or purpose.
• 2. Accidental suggests that something happened by chance or without being intended.
• 3. Inadvertent means that something was not planned or deliberate, but it may have been avoidable if more care was taken.

Good things to know

• 1. Clarify Intentions: Use these antonyms to explain whether something was done on purpose or by accident.
• 2. Express Regret: Incorporate these words to show remorse for unintended consequences.
• 3. Avoid Misunderstandings: Utilize these antonyms to prevent confusion or misinterpretation of actions or events.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of intentional describe actions or events that happen without purpose or planning. Unintentional implies no planning, accidental suggests chance, and inadvertent means not planned but avoidable. Use these words to clarify intentions, express regret, and avoid misunderstandings.