unprotected
adjective
un·pro·tect·ed
ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd 
1
: lacking protection or defense
unprotected troops
skin unprotected from the sun's rays
2
: performed without the use of birth control to prevent pregnancy
also
: performed without the use of a condom to prevent spread of sexually transmitted infection
unprotected sex
Examples of unprotected in a Sentence
They're planning to build roads over thousands of acres of unprotected land.
If your computer is unprotected, you're likely to get a virus.
Recent Examples on the Web
The personal cost of having children unprotected against the world’s most contagious virus is impossible to measure.
—
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Their tenants were unprotected.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Additionally, residents are warned of the possible damage that could be done on unprotected outdoor plumbing.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 20, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The Rangers acquired Baumler, a 24-year-old right-hander, after he was left unprotected by the Baltimore Orioles before December’s Rule 5 draft.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
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.
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Their tenants were unprotected.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Additionally, residents are warned of the possible damage that could be done on unprotected outdoor plumbing.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 20, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The Rangers acquired Baumler, a 24-year-old right-hander, after he was left unprotected by the Baltimore Orioles before December’s Rule 5 draft.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
Cite this Entry
“Unprotected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprotected. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unprotected
adjective
un·pro·tect·ed
ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd
1
: lacking protection or defense
unprotected troops
skin unprotected from the sun's rays
2
: performed without the use of birth control to prevent pregnancy
also
: performed without the use of a condom to prevent the spread of a sexually transmitted disease
unprotected sex
Medical Definition
unprotected
adjective
un·pro·tect·ed
-prə-ˈtek-təd
: not protected
especially
: performed without measures to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease
unprotected sexual intercourse
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
