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unoccupied

adjective

un·​oc·​cu·​pied ˌən-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd How to pronounce unoccupied (audio)
Synonyms of unoccupiednext
: not occupied: such as
a
: not busy : unemployed
b
: not lived in : empty

Examples of unoccupied in a Sentence

About half of the seats were unoccupied when the concert started. A third of the beds at the hospital were unoccupied.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In some rare cases, the most severely affected are unoccupied and owners have filed lawsuits against developers seeking hundreds of millions of dollars. Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025 On the crucial issue, though, of Russia’s demand that Ukraine surrender unoccupied territory in the Donbas region, there was no sign of progress. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 1 Dec. 2025 Los Gatos - Monte Sereno Police Department Police said the business was closed and unoccupied at the time of the collision. Tim Fang, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025 Among the most contentious of points was the suggestion that Ukraine also hand over some of its own unoccupied territory. Callum Sutherland, Time, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unoccupied

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unoccupied was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unoccupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unoccupied. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

unoccupied

adjective
un·​oc·​cu·​pied ˌən-ˈäk-yə-ˌpīd How to pronounce unoccupied (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not busy : unemployed
2
: not occupied : empty

More from Merriam-Webster on unoccupied

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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