un·less
ən-ˈles 
ˈən-ˌles
1
: except on the condition that : under any other circumstance than
2
: without the accompanying circumstance or condition that : but that : but
: except possibly : except
Examples of unless in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 9 June 2020
June 4 also coincides with the final day that the Hong Kong government is enforcing social-distancing rules -- unless there are any extensions -- that bar gatherings of more than eight people.
—Natalie Lung, Bloomberg.com, 7 June 2020
The Plano department also bans any neck restraint unless lives are at risk.
—Cassandra Jaramillo, Dallas News, 5 June 2020
With schools and the senior center closed because of the virus, children and older people who normally ate at those places would have to go without unless town officials did something.
—AZCentral.com, 5 June 2020
But unless brought up on a farm, few white people speak an African language, while most young Indians speak only English or are bilingual in English and Afrikaans.
—Yan Hairong, Quartz Africa, 4 June 2020
Shelter-In-Place / Stay-At-Home** An order instituted by state and local officials requiring people to stay isolated and inside their homes unless their travel is essential, so as to avoid spreading the virus.
—Boone Ashworth, Wired, 2 June 2020
The University of Michigan won’t have a football season this fall unless all students are able to be back on campus for classes.
—Melissa Korn and Laine Higgins, WSJ, 24 May 2020
The National Council of Applied Economic Research, a think-tank in Delhi, predicts a contraction of 12.5% this fiscal year unless there is a huge stimulus.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
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Preposition
What's not allowed: No visitors are permitted for COVID-19 patients unless there are extenuating circumstances.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 9 June 2020
June 4 also coincides with the final day that the Hong Kong government is enforcing social-distancing rules -- unless there are any extensions -- that bar gatherings of more than eight people.
—Natalie Lung, Bloomberg.com, 7 June 2020
The Plano department also bans any neck restraint unless lives are at risk.
—Cassandra Jaramillo, Dallas News, 5 June 2020
With schools and the senior center closed because of the virus, children and older people who normally ate at those places would have to go without unless town officials did something.
—AZCentral.com, 5 June 2020
But unless brought up on a farm, few white people speak an African language, while most young Indians speak only English or are bilingual in English and Afrikaans.
—Yan Hairong, Quartz Africa, 4 June 2020
Shelter-In-Place / Stay-At-Home** An order instituted by state and local officials requiring people to stay isolated and inside their homes unless their travel is essential, so as to avoid spreading the virus.
—Boone Ashworth, Wired, 2 June 2020
The University of Michigan won’t have a football season this fall unless all students are able to be back on campus for classes.
—Melissa Korn and Laine Higgins, WSJ, 24 May 2020
The National Council of Applied Economic Research, a think-tank in Delhi, predicts a contraction of 12.5% this fiscal year unless there is a huge stimulus.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near unless
Cite this Entry
“Unless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unless. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
unless
conjunction
un·less
ən-ˌles,
ˌən-,
in some contexts ᵊn-,
ᵊm-,
or ᵊŋ-
: except on the condition that : if not
she will fail unless she works harder
More from Merriam-Webster on unless
Nglish: Translation of unless for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of unless for Arabic Speakers
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