unearned

adjective un·earned \ ˌən-ˈərnd \

Definition of unearned

1 :not gained by labor, service, or skill

unearned income

2 :scored as a result of an error by the opposing team

an unearned run

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Examples of unearned in a Sentence

Bank interest is regarded as unearned income.

Recent Examples of unearned from the Web

Cleveland got an unearned run later in the inning and added single runs off Adam Warren and Chasen Shreve.

— wallace matthews, New York Times, "Yankees Sit Aaron Judge in Hopes of Restarting Him," 28 Aug. 2017
T-Bolts starter Will Landsheft nearly matched Hoffman early, allowing just an unearned run through the first five innings.

— steve millar, Daily Southtown, "Right-hander Scot Hoffman, Slammers slow ThunderBolts' playoff push," 23 Aug. 2017
Here are the main story lines from Saturday’s game: • Stephenson gets the W: Stephenson allowed just three hits and an unearned run in his first start since coming off the disabled list last Sunday.

— c. trent rosecrans, Cincinnati.com, "Reds Recap: Bats come alive in win over Braves," 19 Aug. 2017
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS ▪ Jose Urena improved to 11-5 this season, gave up one unearned run in five innings, struck out two, walked one and allowed seven hits.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Stanton’s home run streak halted at six games in Marlins’ win over Giants," 16 Aug. 2017
As the afternoon began, starter Danny Duffy allowed three runs on two homers in the first inning of game one before being hit for four unearned runs in the second inning.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "A rookie battery leads Royals over Mariners in 9-1 victory," 6 Aug. 2017
RHP Jose Taveras (W, 1-0, 0.00) allowed one unearned run on two hits and three walks and struck out eight over six innings in his AAA debut.

— staff reports, Philly.com, "Jorge Alfaro, Jose Taveras lead 'Pigs; Cornelius Randolph hits No. 11," 2 Aug. 2017
Rant alert: Lester gave up one run that should’ve been unearned but wasn’t because of a dumb baseball scoring rule.

— steve rosenbloom, chicagotribune.com, "It’s like Jon Lester and Jose Quintana created a baseball version of H-O-R-S-E," 18 July 2017
Aguilar rose to the occasion, pitching a complete game and allowing just one unearned run to lead the Mustangs to a 5-1 win at North Central College.

— steve millar, Daily Southtown, "Vic to click: Aguilar pitches gem as St. Rita reaches Lawler Classic semis," 18 July 2017

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

First Known Use of unearned

13th century

UNEARNED Defined for English Language Learners

unearned

adjective

Definition of unearned for English Language Learners

: not earned by working

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