unaccountable

adjective

un·​ac·​count·​able ˌən-ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl How to pronounce unaccountable (audio)
1
: not to be accounted for : inexplicable, strange
2
: not to be called to account : not responsible
unaccountability noun

Examples of unaccountable in a Sentence

She has shown an unaccountable reluctance to accept their offer. the decorator's client has an unaccountable dislike for that color
Recent Examples on the Web The other plan Israel might consider is the reintroduction of the Palestinian Authority, an entity that Palestinians detest for its unaccountable, authoritarian governance by a body viewed as Israel’s quisling. Dahlia Scheindlin, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023 This unaccountable model of governance has led stakeholders of all stripes to criticize platforms’ decisions as arbitrary, corrupt or irresponsible. Chand Rajendra-Nicolucci, The Conversation, 24 Oct. 2023 As long as those maps stay in force, an unaccountable faction of politicians will hold the state’s political system hostage. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2023 Critics in the community, and some on the previous City Council, have accused the department of being unaccountable for years, but not just because of media access. Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2023 Some of the changes have resulted in less transparency and unaccountable shifts in scoring for many hospitals and specialties. Brian Stein and Bala Hota, STAT, 24 Aug. 2023 The exponential growth of the Code of Federal Regulations and overregulation by unaccountable agencies has been the direct result. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 May 2023 Those decisions, however, are for the Senate and the voters, not for local district attorneys unrepresentative of the nation and unaccountable to it. The Editors, National Review, 16 Aug. 2023 Perhaps implying the Fed is an unaccountable institution is disparaging, but many pragmatic people believe independent agencies should have less discretionary authority precisely because the folks running those agencies – unlike members of Congress – do not face the voters. Norbert Michel, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 See More

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

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unaccountable was in 1643

Dictionary Entries Near unaccountable

Cite this Entry

“Unaccountable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unaccountable. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

unaccountable

adjective
un·​ac·​count·​able ˌən-ə-ˈkau̇nt-ə-bəl How to pronounce unaccountable (audio)
1
2
: not to be called to account : not responsible
unaccountably
-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unaccountable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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