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.
For decades, tenants have complained about unsanitary or dangerous conditions, including mold, rodents, and heat and hot water outages. Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025 Subcontracting agencies are known for pressuring workers to cut corners, unsanitary conditions, wage theft, and other health and safety issues. Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025 While the exact timing of the escape is unclear, detainees at the facility had faced off against guards over meager and dismal meals, unsanitary conditions and overcrowding that same day. Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 Across the country, reports of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and issues with food and healthcare access have been the product of a focus to make more arrests. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 23 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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