inadvertently

[ in-uhd-vur-tnt-lee ]

adverb

1. unintentionally; without meaning to:

   I apologize to anyone I have inadvertently left off this list.

2. through lack of attention; without anyone noticing:

   There is the potential for one set of rules to inadvertently replace another.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inadvertently¹

inadvertent ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The research found that such imbalance can lead to everyday action slips such as inadvertently entering an old password instead of the current one.

From Science Daily

The latest filings mark a sharp shift in tone from the city, which sued in April 2023 seeking the “return of these inadvertently produced photos to protect the lives and work of these undercover officers.”

From Los Angeles Times

The success of Koch’s approach inadvertently led to the United States' most fertile breeding ground for punters being on the other side of the world.

From BBC

It said individuals from less well-off backgrounds were being "inadvertently or deliberately shamed by more privileged students".

From BBC

Fox anchor Jesse Watters inadvertently proved the ad's point on air, saying that his wife backing a different candidate would be “the same thing as having an affair.”

From Salon

Related Words

• negligently
• recklessly