unsoundness

noun

un·​sound·​ness ˌən-ˈsau̇n(d)-nəs How to pronounce unsoundness (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being unsound
2
: something (such as a disease, injury, or defect) that causes one to be unsound

Examples of unsoundness in a Sentence

the overall unsoundness of her health in her last years greatly limited what she could do
Recent Examples on the Web In looking back at the history of Emtech, the colt who suffered a catastrophic breakdown in Saturday’s eighth race, it was discovered that he was once placed on the Veterinarian’s List because of unsoundness. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2019 Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes near the Oroville Dam, because of the threat of imminent flooding due to structural unsoundness. Mercury News Readers, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2017 In 2015, 66 trees were removed by city crews because of poor health or unsoundness. Debbie Arrington, sacbee.com, 5 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsoundness.' 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

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsoundness was in 1586

Dictionary Entries Near unsoundness

Cite this Entry

“Unsoundness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsoundness. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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