unauthorized

adjective

Definition of unauthorizednext
as in improper
without permission; not authorized an unauthorized use of government vehicles Unauthorized personnel are not allowed in the building.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unauthorized Anthropic disclosed three incidents during third-party evaluations in which its models accessed the internet and gained unauthorized access to external organizations. — Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 Marines said the area around the fire is a no-fly zone and requested that unauthorized drones be kept away. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 Ultimately, keeping firearms securely locked and unloaded away from kids and unauthorized individuals is a fundamental part of responsible gun ownership. — Brittany Berlin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 According to the investigation, Brown utilized the Flock camera technology to perform unauthorized searches involving at least two tag numbers. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unauthorized
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unauthorized
  1. improper
  2. illicit
  3. unlawful
  4. inappropriate
  5. unacceptable
  6. illegitimate
Adjective
  • The tactic is especially prevalent among the department’s elite Metropolitan Division and anti-gang units, several of which have come under investigation in recent years for failing to document the stops and improper searches.
    — Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Green curry, red curry and peanut sauce had to be thrown out as they were improperly stored and held at improper temperatures.
    — Joseph Hernandez August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • Deli containers, those clear plastic cylinders that hold bagel schmears, premade pasta salads, and the occasional illicit public beach cocktail, enjoy vaunted status in the food world.
    — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Lake County State's Attorney said an investigation starting in June 2026 found illicit activity on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network.
    — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Spires is also charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a dangerous person and three misdemeanors, while Wilson is also charged with two misdemeanors, filings show.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Put more bluntly, sports event contracts are protected by federal law in some parts of the country but remain vulnerable elsewhere to states deeming them unlawful.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • Justice Department attorneys have argued that a restraining order would be inappropriate and that the legal challenge was premature, as federal agencies had yet to issue public guidance on how the president's directive would be implemented.
    — Kristina Cooke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The morality police, which are often accused of extreme policies, recently announced a statewide ban in Sokoto on the use of DJs at events, as well as inappropriate haircuts, extravagant bridal gifts and playing music on public transport.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • Carney has called that demand unacceptable and a question of Canadian sovereignty.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Custard said, for the public, all this adds up to unacceptable risk.
    — Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • The researchers suspect that others were created by AI that either hallucinated or, just like the AI agents browsing their file, couldn’t distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate instructions.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Internet discussions portrayed the SPLC as a politically motivated or illegitimate actor.
    — Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of illegitimate

Browse Nearby Words

unauthentic
unauthorized
unavailability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unauthorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unauthorized. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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