unintended consequence

English

Alternative forms

• unanticipated consequence, unforeseen consequence

Etymology

Popularized by sociologist Robert K. Merton.

Noun

unintended consequence (plural unintended consequences)

1. (originally sociology, in the plural) An outcome of a purposeful action that is not intended or foreseen.
   • 2019 May 4, Bret Stephens, “Facebook’s Unintended Consequence”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     Over the past several years we’ve learned a lot about the unintended consequences of social media. Platforms intended to bring us closer together make us angrier and more isolated.

See also

• collateral damage
• side effect
• you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

 

Further reading

• unintended consequences on Wikipedia.Wikipedia