unauthorized

adjective

un·​au·​tho·​rized ˌən-ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīzd 

: not authorized : without authority or permission

an unauthorized biography

unauthorized communications

was unauthorized to act for her husband

Examples of unauthorized in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bill prohibits an employer from recklessly or intentionally hiring or employing an unauthorized alien. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

One House Republican, Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska, had suggested that an unauthorized military attack on the island could lead to the president’s impeachment—with GOP support. —Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026

The Pentagon contractor, Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, was arrested earlier this month on a charge of unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents. —Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026

State officials now say property management worked with federal agents, alleging the building was housing unauthorized Venezuelan immigrants, to intimidate and push out Black and Hispanic tenants. —Darius Johnson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unauthorized

• americanized
• anathematized
• collateralized
• contextualized
• conventionalized
• demilitarized
• demineralized
• departmentalized
• industrialised
• industrialized
• materialised
• materialized