unsanctioned

adjective

un·​sanc·​tioned ˌən-ˈsaŋ(k)-shənd How to pronounce unsanctioned (audio)
: 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 Earlier this month, the first picture of Kate since Christmas—an unsanctioned paparazzi shot of Kate being driven in a car near her home in Windsor by her mother—began circulating internationally. Elle Turner, Glamour, 15 Mar. 2024 When the Navalny’s returned to Russia in 2021 and Alexei was arrested, Yulia was detained for participating in an unsanctioned rally, but was later released. Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024 The Biden campaign has waged an effort to have supporters write in the president to defeat fringe challengers like Rep. Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson who have used the unsanctioned primary to argue that the president is subject to a competitive primary. USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 Phillips at first staked his presidential campaign on a strong showing in New Hampshire's Democratic primary, which operated as an unsanctioned party contest where Mr. Biden wasn't even on the ballot because of the new primary calendar instituted by the president and national Democratic leaders. Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 The city had an unsanctioned 200-person homeless camp near downtown. Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 The Biden campaign has waged an effort to have supporters write in the President to defeat fringe challengers like Representative Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson who have used the unsanctioned primary to argue that the President is subject to a competitive primary. James Powel, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 Since Israel’s invasion in October, soldiers have shared videos from Gaza on social media, offering a rare, unsanctioned look at operations on the ground. Chevaz Clarke, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 The teacher argued that it was justified to teach unsanctioned material because the material given to them did not include enough of the Palestinian perspective. Laura Meckler, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsanctioned.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsanctioned was in 1785

Dictionary Entries Near unsanctioned

Cite this Entry

“Unsanctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsanctioned. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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