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Accidentally vs Unknowingly - What's the difference?

accidentally | unknowingly |

As adverbs the difference between accidentally and unknowingly

is that accidentally is in an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by chance; casually; fortuitously while unknowingly is without awareness, without intent.

accidentally

English

Alternative forms

*accidently

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by chance; casually; fortuitously.
    • He discovered penicillin largely accidentally .
  • Unintentionally.
    • He accidentally exposed the bacteria to mold spores.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011
    • , date=December 14 , author=Steven Morris , title=Devon woman jailed for 168 days for killing kitten in microwave , work=Guardian citation , page= , passage=Robins, of Torquay, had denied a single charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. She claimed the microwave was accidentally turned on by one of the cats after the kitten got inside. But Knutton said the kitten was too small to even get onto the work surface.}}

    Related terms

    * accident

    Antonyms

    * intentionally, deliberately, designedly, on purpose, purposely, advisedly, by choice, by design

    unknowingly

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Without awareness, without intent.

    • Antonyms

    * knowingly