incidental 1 of 2

adjective

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl How to pronounce incidental (audio)
Definition of incidentalnext
1
as in accidental
happening by chance an incidental meeting of two ships in the middle of the Atlantic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in minor
lacking importance we still have to work out a few incidental details, but the proposal is largely complete

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incidental

2 of 2

noun

as in nonessential

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Dissimilar Words

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 incidental
Adjective
The course wasn’t incidental to Gates’ professional career, either. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 13 Aug. 2026 Nestled between Europe and Asia, Georgia boasts a wealth of ancient history that melds with the most stunning landscapes, and an abundance of friendly welcomes that are not just incidental but a way of life. — Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
And that’s on top of costly airfare, lodging, match tickets, and other incidentals required to attend the games. — Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026 Officials ruled the hit incidental, though Olszewski left the game and didn’t return with a head injury. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 4 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incidental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incidental
  1. accidental
  2. minor
  3. nonessential
  4. small
  5. filler
  6. little
  7. subsidiary
  8. slight
Adjective
  • This included expert witnesses who said the child’s death was an accidental drowning brought on by a seizure and a jailhouse informant who recanted his trial testimony that Duncan had confessed to the crime.
    — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In all three cases, authorities have appeared to suggest their deaths were accidental.
    — Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of accidental
Adjective
  • Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
  • His discipline could be minor compared to the hit on his reputation.
    — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of minor
Noun
  • Anything deemed nonessential would be put on hold, so Americans could experience delays with certain services and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will go without pay.
    — Caitlyn Kim, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of nonessential
Adjective
  • That’s a dangerous prospect for any country, but especially for Singapore, crammed into a space smaller than New York City.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But after home brewers were able to show the appeal of hoppy IPAs, malty stouts and citrusy wheat ales, that eventually led to a boom in small breweries.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • Not to mention, many people (understandably) have mixed feelings about injecting Juvéderm or Restylane and the rest of their ilk into their faces for a bit of a volume boost, or balk at the price for half a syringe of the hyaluronic acid fillers.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Pets Table recipes are made in the USA without artificial flavors, colors, or fillers.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of filler
Adjective
  • Big picture The league and the union are meeting regularly on various topics, but their disagreement on core economics — whether to move to a cap system — leaves little room for progress on the major issues.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But that bipartisan effort was immediately panned by conservative groups, and little else has emerged as a serious solution.
    — Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of little
Noun
  • For now, though, Meridian developer CBH Homes and its subsidiaries will be able to start what amounts to a quarter of the original design.
    — Mark Dee August 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a new medicine from Roivant and its subsidiary Priovant for the treatment of dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and a painful skin rash.
    — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of subsidiary
Adjective
  • The delicate shape still nods to classic ballet flats, but the slight heel gives everything a little more polish, making the pairing feel less Sunday lunch with your nan and more Copenhagen Fashion Week.
    — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Early pothole testing actually caused a slight structural bend in a rear swingarm.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of slight

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Cite this Entry

“Incidental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incidental. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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