# unintended consequence

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. An outcome of a purposeful action that is not intended or foreseen.

## Etymology
Popularized by sociologist Robert K. Merton.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/unintended-consequence