unsanctioned

adjective

un·​sanc·​tioned ˌən-ˈsaŋ(k)-shənd 

: lacking effective or authoritative approval or consent : not sanctioned

an unsanctioned boxing match

… a solution unsanctioned by educated custom …

—Edward Finegan

Examples of unsanctioned in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last week, Whitney Museum displays that advertised the current Whitney Biennial briefly bore unsanctioned messages in support of Palestine, courtesy the artist Jonathan Allen. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026

The pops of unsanctioned fireworks from around the city could be heard in the distance. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026

The combination of unsanctioned AI use, sensitive data exposure, autonomous task execution and limited organizational visibility creates elevated operational, security, compliance and reputational risk. — Michelle Drolet, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Amid the charm offensive, Bankman-Fried even conducted an unsanctioned interview with conservative TV host Tucker Carlson from prison in March 2025. — Camila Grigera Naon, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsanctioned

• sanctioned