unchecked

adjective un·checked \ ˌən-ˈchekt \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of unchecked

: not checked: such as

a : not hindered, slowed, or restrained

unchecked growth

b : not verified

unchecked data/information

See unchecked defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of unchecked from the Web

The Times later documented how Weinstein’s abuses went unchecked for decades with help from his associates.

— maggie astor, BostonGlobe.com, "The reporting that brought down Harvey Weinstein will get the movie treatment," 26 Apr. 2018
In other words, presidential power expands in ways that are often useful but unchecked to varying degrees.

— julia azari, Vox, "The challenge of Trump’s presidency is legitimacy, not power," 17 Apr. 2018
Some have argued that the forces are a virtually unchecked power—often with jurisdictions that extend beyond the campus, as is the case at the University of Chicago—and should be abolished.

— adam harris, The Atlantic, "When a College Employee Shoots a Student," 9 Apr. 2018
Black and Latino children and their parents and communities have reason for concern about the rapid and unchecked growth in cyber education.

— Longreads, "The Great Online School Scam," 21 Feb. 2018
If left unchecked and untrained, the brain can be noisy with negative commentary.

— erin falconer, Health.com, "The One Word That Keeps You From Being Truly in the Moment," 2 May 2018
Left unchecked, Nirenberg said, commute times will double in the coming decades as 150 new cars a day come onto San Antonio streets.

— josh baugh, San Antonio Express-News, "Officials: Rail won’t be included in future transit plan for area," 1 May 2018
Reuters reported that the tree would be inspected for parasites, which could spread to other trees nearby if left unchecked.

— saskya vandoorne and judith vonberg, CNN, "Tree planted by Trump and Macron removed and placed in quarantine," 30 Apr. 2018
If left unchecked, typhoid can cause internal bleeding, perforation of the gut and, in up to a fifth of cases, death.

— The Economist, "A strain of typhoid could become virtually untreatable," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unchecked.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unchecked

15th century

in the meaning defined above

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