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Accidental: alternatives and connections

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26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
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350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
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Accidental

Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not according to the usual course of things; casual; fortuitous; as, an accidental visit.

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52 useful connections shown 10 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Similar meaning 4

Inessential 84% connected

Having no essence or being.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

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Inessential 84% connected

Having no essence or being.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Definition Compare both words
Unessential 84% connected

Not essential; not of prime importance; not indispensable; unimportant.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Definition Compare both words
Unessential 84% connected

Not essential; not of prime importance; not indispensable; unimportant.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Definition Compare both words

Derivationally related 4

Accident 74% connected

Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one's foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and unexpected event; chance; contin…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words
Accident 74% connected

Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one's foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and unexpected event; chance; contin…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Synonym 2

Inadvertent 92% connected

Not turning the mind to a matter; heedless; careless; negligent; inattentive.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Nonessential 92% connected

Not essential.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words
Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Accidentally adverb · 78% connection

In an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by chance; unintentionally; casually; fortuitously; not essentially.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Adventure noun · 78% connection

That which happens without design; chance; hazard; hap; hence, chance of danger or loss.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Biennial adjective · 78% connection

Happening, or taking place, once in two years; as, a biennial election.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Casual adjective · 78% connection

Happening or coming to pass without design, and without being foreseen or expected; accidental; fortuitous; coming by chance.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Chance adjective · 78% connection

Happening by chance; casual.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Chanceable adjective · 78% connection

Fortuitous; casual.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Chaud-medley noun · 78% connection

The killing of a person in an affray, in the heat of blood, and while under the influence of passion, thus distinguished from chance-m…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Contingency noun · 78% connection

An event which may or may not occur; that which is possible or probable; a fortuitous event; a chance.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Displace verb · 78% connection

To change the place of; to remove from the usual or proper place; to put out of place; to place in another situation; as, the books in…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Divert verb · 78% connection

To turn aside; to turn off from any course or intended application; to deflect; as, to divert a river from its channel; to divert comm…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Eccentric adjective · 78% connection

Deviating from stated methods, usual practice, or established forms or laws; deviating from an appointed sphere or way; departing from…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Exorbitant adjective · 78% connection

Departing from an orbit or usual track; hence, deviating from the usual or due course; going beyond the appointed rules or established…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Fortition noun · 78% connection

Casual choice; fortuitous selection; hazard.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Fortuitous adjective · 78% connection

Happening by chance; coming or occuring unexpectedly, or without any known cause; chance; as, the fortuitous concourse of atoms.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Hap noun · 78% connection

That which happens or comes suddenly or unexpectedly; also, the manner of occurrence or taking place; chance; fortune; accident; casua…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Hazard noun · 78% connection

The uncertain result of throwing a die; hence, a fortuitous event; chance; accident; casualty.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Incident adjective · 78% connection

Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectat…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
Incindental adjective · 78% connection

Happening, as an occasional event, without regularity; coming without design; casual; accidental; hence, not of prime concern; subordi…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: happening, chance, unexpectedly, taking, place.
Definition Compare
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