unsound

adjective

un·​sound ˌən-ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce unsound (audio)
: not sound: such as
a
: not healthy or whole
an unsound horse
b
: not mentally normal : not wholly sane
of unsound mind
c
: not firmly made, placed, or fixed
structurally unsound
d
: not valid or true : invalid, specious
unsound beliefs
unsoundly adverb

Examples of unsound in a Sentence

The roof is structurally unsound. disgruntled relatives tried to prove that the woman was of unsound mind when she made her will
Recent Examples on the Web Eugenics was debunked as both biologically unsound and morally repugnant decades ago, but Donald Trump has repackaged its key lies to appeal to 21st-century American anxieties. Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 After Otieno appeared limp, a nurse did not check for signs of life but injected him with a sedating mix of drugs that were later listed in court filings, according to video and experts, who described the action as medically unsound. Samuel Oakford, Washington Post, 26 July 2024 That’s unsound legal ground, argued Donald Tobin, a professor and former dean of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2024 People in an area where a thunderstorm warning has been issued should remove themselves from unsound buildings and find substantial shelter, according to the NWS. James Powel, USA TODAY, 30 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsound 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsound.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsound was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near unsound

Cite this Entry

“Unsound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsound. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

unsound

adjective
un·​sound ˌən-ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce unsound (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not healthy or whole
an unsound horse
2
: not mentally normal : not wholly sane
of unsound mind
3
: not firmly made, placed, or fixed
an unsound structure
4
: not based on truth or logic
unsound arguments
unsoundly adverb
unsoundness
-ˈsau̇n(d)-nəs
noun

Medical Definition

unsound

adjective
un·​sound -ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce unsound (audio)
: not sound: as
a
: not healthy or whole
an unsound limb
an unsound horse
b
: not mentally normal : not wholly sane
of unsound mind
c
: not fit to be eaten
unsound food
unsoundness noun

Legal Definition

unsound

adjective
un·​sound ˌən-ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce unsound (audio)
: not sound: as
a
: not healthy or whole
b
: not mentally normal : not wholly sane
of unsound mind
c
: not firmly made, placed, or fixed
d
: not valid or true
an unsound argument
unsoundly adverb
unsoundness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unsound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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