unsanctioned

adjective un·sanc·tioned \ ˌən-ˈsaŋ(k)-shənd \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of unsanctioned

: lacking effective or authoritative approval or consent : not sanctioned

an unsanctioned boxing match

… a solution unsanctioned by educated custom …
—Edward Finegan

Recent Examples of unsanctioned from the Web

Rallies were expected to take place in 97 cities around Russia, with a number of them unsanctioned by authorities — including the protests in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

— NBC News, "Protesters detained as thousands rally against Putin's government," 5 May 2018
In an unsanctioned match between former best friends, Gargano and Ciampa came through with the performance of a lifetime in the best match of the entire weekend.

— gene guillot, NOLA.com, "The best 34 parts of an awesome WrestleMania week," 12 Apr. 2018
The buzz: Has three unsanctioned 300s and has been to the state tournament three straight years.

— perry a. farrell, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Free Press Sports Awards: Meet the boys, girls bowling finalists," 9 Apr. 2018
The main event saw Johnny Gargano get his revenge on his former best friend and tag team champion partner Tommaso Ciampa by making him submit in an unsanctioned match.

— gene guillot, NOLA.com, "WWE's NXT TakeOver: New Orleans was wrestling at its finest," 8 Apr. 2018
Some locals say Bryant, her fellow bear advocates and their tens of thousands of social media followers take their unsanctioned role as Tahoe’s bear protectors way too far.

— ryan sabalow and ed fletcher, sacbee, "Tahoe bears are breaking into homes with people inside. Should the animals be killed? | The Sacramento Bee," 16 Mar. 2018
Clinics that have exploited loopholes to use unsanctioned stem cell therapies have drawn negative publicity.

— meredith cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Stem cells could boost this Maryland baby's heart and chance for a normal life," 9 Mar. 2018
In a culture where overeating was discouraged, food and water intake was closely monitored and body shaming was common, Nassar slipped the girls unsanctioned Skittles and Starburst.

— mark alesia, Indianapolis Star, "Larry Nassar: The making of a monster who abused gymnasts for decades," 8 Mar. 2018
Amid growing public outrage, city officials have been on a crusade to clear the streets of dilapidated motorhomes, some that have been abandoned and others that serve as unsanctioned living quarters for people on the verge of homelessness.

— aimee green, OregonLive.com, "Man who dumped junky RVs on Portland streets gets 25 days in jail," 5 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of unsanctioned

1785

in the meaning defined above

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unsanctioned

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