gray area

noun

: an area or situation in which it is difficult to judge what is right and what is wrong
There are no gray areas in the rules.
a legal gray area

Examples of gray area in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And the compensation of sources exists in the deepest gray area of all. Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 Why would anyone expect the labs to resolve that gray area against their own interests? Adam Fish, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 The gray area in the decorum policy, VanderVeen said, gives the presiding officer, often O’Hare, ultimate discretion. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 Willis being so-so leaves the franchise in a gray area regarding selecting a quarterback in the first round of next year’s draft. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gray area

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gray area.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gray%20area. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster