unsanitary

adjective

un·​san·​i·​tary ˌən-ˈsa-nə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce unsanitary (audio)
: unclean enough to endanger health : not sanitary
unsanitary conditions
unsanitary habits/practices

Examples of unsanitary in a Sentence

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.
Inspections often reported unsanitary conditions at the lodgings, specifically mold. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 26 June 2025 After days enduring the unsanitary conditions, the ship finally made it to Mobile and passengers disembarked. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 24 June 2025 What Causes Cockroaches? A cockroach in the home isn't always a sign of unsanitary conditions. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 June 2025 The Justice Department began investigating in 2023, resulting in the department issuing a 97-page report in November that found people held at the jail were at risk of violent attacks and experienced excessive force, unsanitary conditions and malnourishment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsanitary

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsanitary was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Unsanitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsanitary. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

unsanitary

adjective
un·​san·​i·​tary -ˈsan-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce unsanitary (audio)
: not sanitary : insanitary
unsanitary conditions

More from Merriam-Webster on unsanitary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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