nameless

adjective

name·​less ˈnām-ləs How to pronounce nameless (audio)
1
2
: not known by name : anonymous
3
: having no legal right to a name (as due to being born to parents not married to each other)
4
: not having been given a name : unnamed
5
: not marked with a name
a nameless grave
6
a
: incapable of precise description : indefinable
b
: too repulsive or distressing to describe
namelessly adverb
namelessness noun

Examples of nameless in a Sentence

She left the hotel with a nameless man in a black jacket. The source for my story prefers to remain nameless. A top government official, who shall remain nameless, has expressed concern about the decision. The men were buried there in nameless graves.
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.
The county Public Guardian serves as a conservator for vulnerable disabled residents, but can’t accept nameless cases. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025 Here is a sample of their handiwork: These nameless leakers from the Pentagon want a military that’s woke, not lethal. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 1 May 2025 The Cholera Ghosts all began as pretty much an entity of nameless specters covered in sores who aren’t accepted in the main house, but that didn’t stop Sodaro from building a whole character biography. Jenelle Riley, Variety, 1 May 2025 Though the celebrity sightings are fun, the most powerful moment in the 69-minute installment comes when two people, Carmen and a relative who shall remain nameless for spoiler reasons, have a quiet conversation in an empty room. EW.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nameless

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nameless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nameless. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

nameless

adjective
name·​less ˈnām-ləs How to pronounce nameless (audio)
1
: having no name
2
: not marked with a name
a nameless grave
3
: unknown entry 1, anonymous
a nameless hero
4
a
: impossible to describe
nameless fears
b
: too disgusting or disturbing to be described
nameless acts of cruelty

More from Merriam-Webster on nameless

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