Unwittingly Vs unintentionally

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david11

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I see all the examples for the uses of the word "unwittingly", to mean "unintentionally", appear to be completely interchangeable with the word "unintentionally".

I am told that no two words can be completely same! Is there in any context that both can not be interchanged?
 

Grumpy

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"Unwittingly" specifically means not knowing about something, while "unintentionally" specifically means that the action was not deliberate.
Let's suppose that I am trying to hammer a nail into a piece of wood. I miss the nail, and hit my thumb with the hammer. I certainly did this unintentionally - but I did not do it unwittingly, as I certainly knew what the consequences of hitting my thumb with the hammer might be!
 
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