UNAUTHORIZED Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

unauthorized

adjective

Definition of unauthorized

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 The Flagler Beach Police Department added charges of unauthorized installation of a tracking device and accessing an electronic device without authority. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 One of the latest incidents occurred in Clayton County, Georgia, where local officials disclosed that unauthorized cyber activity disrupted water service last month, according to CBS News. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Levi, 33, founded the unauthorized Meitarim Farm outpost in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank in 2021. — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 Bankman-Fried argued on appeal that the trial judge wrongly precluded him from introducing evidence that, despite his many unauthorized transactions, his investments were sound and over time investors would be made whole. — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unauthorized

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unauthorized

Adjective

Issues include elevated pH levels,and improper signage, filters and ladders.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, Flores, an employee at Graves County Middle School, is accused of having an improper relationship with a minor student in the district.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of improper

Adjective

This ongoing challenge raises significant questions about the control of programmable dollars and the effectiveness of stablecoin freezes in combating illicit finance, which increasingly relies on these digital assets.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
For example, libertarians generally argue that owning guns, using illicit drugs and refusing vaccinations are individual rights that must be protected from the harm of infringement via regulation.

— Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of illicit

Adjective

Greg Field, a 27-year LAPD veteran and director of the Police Transportation Motor Transport Division, noted the sync systems are useful for mass messages, such as at a fire evacuation or an unlawful assembly.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
McFadden is currently charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of unlawful

Adjective

The home, along Norris Avenue in the northern Arden-Arcade area, has sparked opposition from neighbors and local officials who say its location near multiple schools and in the middle of a residential neighborhood is inappropriate.

— Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Hochman said Flores simply could have taken notes on the inappropriate comments and turned them in to superiors or the independent inspector general, which strikes me as either sweetly naive or disingenuous.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

The plan is to then gradually introduce louder sounds, Coen added, to discover the level at which a sonic boom noise goes from being acceptable to unacceptable.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Given the national security stakes, the prospect of foreign governments being able to suspend access to critical models at a whim started to feel like an unacceptable risk.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Adjective

But that’s forcing them to wrestle with the idea that any action taken by a party is illegitimate, anti-democratic rigging — something the other team can use to depress the base.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
Signature-matching efforts sometimes disqualify more legitimate than illegitimate ballots.

— Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 July 2026

Definition of illegitimate

Browse Nearby Words

unauthentic

unauthorized

unavailability

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Style

“Unauthorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unauthorized. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unauthorized

adjective

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