Unintending

Unintending describes an action, statement, or consequence that is not done, said, or caused on purpose or with forethought. It implies a lack of deliberate planning or malicious intent. It often highlights the accidental nature of an event or the innocent nature of a comment, differentiating it from actions that were explicitly planned or aimed at achieving a specific goal. This term emphasizes the absence of conscious design, often resulting in outcomes that might be unexpected or unforeseen. It's a nuanced word, acknowledging a lack of pre-meditation while still holding the actor potentially responsible for the eventual outcome.

Unintending meaning with examples

• During the game, his unintending elbow hit his opponent. He was devastated and apologized profusely, as he did not mean to cause any physical harm and immediately helped the other person up. He was known for his sportsmanlike conduct, further emphasizing the accidental nature of the event and proving that it was without purpose.
• The journalist's unintending remark during the interview caused a misunderstanding. The comment, intended as a joke, was taken out of context and spread online causing a brief public uproar. This situation highlighted the importance of carefully choosing words, especially in public, even when their intent is not malicious or calculated.
• The artist's brush accidentally slipped, creating an unintending detail in the painting. The small, unplanned stroke unexpectedly enhanced the piece, and he eventually incorporated it. It's a testament to the role of happenstance in creative pursuits, the unexpected beauty that can come from randomness and an absence of deliberate intent.
• Her unintending slight to a coworker's project was a comment on the aesthetics of it and not the quality. She was unaware that her words would offend and hurt the person. She did not mean for her comments to hurt feelings, showing how easily accidental negativity could cause a reaction.