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accidental

[ak-si-den-tl] / ˌæk sɪˈdɛn tl /


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.

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Over that period, the laboratory received 274 samples connected to 201 suspected cases of either deliberate or accidental poisoning across the UK, Ireland, and Gibraltar.

From Science Daily Aug. 15, 2026

The US space agency reached the conclusion after independent astronomers, using public data, noted that a portion of the rocket from a January 2025 launch was on an accidental collision course with the Moon.

From BBC Aug. 4, 2026

Lacy delivered the accidental reveal while speaking with Twitch star Valkyrae, who hosted the film’s official red carpet stream.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 28, 2026

The new policy preserves the benefits of life-sciences research while defining the areas of greatest risk, including prevention of accidental or intentional lab leaks, and penalties for irresponsible practices.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 28, 2026

Harmony made from chords came alive in his four-part vocal music, even if some of his note combinations sound accidental rather than intentional.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

This version needed to then be translated into conventional music using normal accidentals.

From New York Times Feb. 11, 2024

You have Blackwood’s old recording and scores, which look like familiar scores but have lots of odd accidentals in them.

From New York Times Feb. 11, 2024

Humans have long marveled at such exotic stragglers — which experts also refer to as waifs, rarities, extralimitals, casuals and accidentals — and what they suggest about the biological importance of wandering.

From New York Times Apr. 7, 2022

In this year, which at home differed only in accidentals from other prosperous peacetime years, the U.S. also held an election.

From Time Magazine Archive

Figure 1.19: When a sharp sign appears in the C space in the key signature, all C's are sharp unless marked as accidentals.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones




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