unanchored

adjective

un·​an·​chored ˌən-ˈaŋ-kərd How to pronounce unanchored (audio)
1
: not anchored : not at anchor
2
: not having a firm basis or foundation

Examples of unanchored in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some of these new A.I. startups barely even have coherent products or plans, or are led by founders with little genuine understanding of the underlying technology who are merely selling unanchored hype–but that is apparently no obstacle to fundraising millions of dollars. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 28 June 2023 With inflation likely to be boosted by the Russian oil-price shock to more than three times the Fed’s inflation target, the Fed would seem to have little alternative but to raise interest rates to prevent inflation expectations from becoming unanchored. Desmond Lachman, National Review, 3 Mar. 2022 Lawmakers last year increased funding for removing such vessels from $3.5 million to $8.2 million, after giving law enforcement more authority to address boats that have no effective means of propulsion and have taken on water or are on the verge of becoming unanchored. Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2023 So, no, inflation expectations are not becoming unanchored as the Fed has feared. Robert Barone, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022 Rapid changes in technology, major shifts in the labor market and the economy, the Covid-19 pandemic, and more have caused many Americans to feel unanchored. Thor Benson, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2022 Illustrating the danger, officials at the time said the mine became unanchored from whatever was holding it in place and that it was carried to shore by crashing waves. Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 19 June 2022 An extreme version of deflationary pressures—that of a depression—remains on the risk menu because, like the opposite extreme of unanchored double-digit inflation and rates, it can never be ruled out. Paul Swartz, Fortune, 7 June 2022 Gregory Coll will be able to interpret hard physical facts from speculation and unanchored analytical results. Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2022

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

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unanchored was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near unanchored

Cite this Entry

“Unanchored.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unanchored. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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