UNLICENSED Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

unlicensed

adjective

Definition of unlicensed

as in unauthorized

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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Recent Examples of unlicensed In March, the city repealed criminal penalties against unlicensed vendors, leaving enforcement up to the Department of Sanitation and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. — Daniel Edward Rosen, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 The technology is a hot-button topic across the music industry in 2026, as generative AI music companies such as Suno face countless lawsuits and complaints from artists claiming their models are trained on unlicensed music. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026 And yet, this unlicensed, or bootleg, merchandise is a signature stitch in the fabric of fandom, one that fills an integral role in the live entertainment ecosystem. — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 For relief, the Knicks seek a permanent injunction blocking the defendants from using Knicks trademarks and other intellectual property in connection with the unlicensed sale of goods. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unlicensed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlicensed

Adjective

Fortunately, transparency logs account for much of that failure, but this measure requires parties to actively monitor massive feeds and works only after unauthorized certificates have been issued.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
Police also reported no evidence of unauthorized access to department systems or compromised police data.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of unauthorized

Adjective

Several employee open cup containers with unapproved screw-top lids were on the shelf, prep table and food prep storage.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Her filing claimed that Peters also gave her an unapproved drug that may have included some kind of methamphetamine.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of unapproved

Adjective

Set early during the New Republic era, the game introduces the Galactic League, an unsanctioned racing circuit assembled by Darius Pax.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
The company is drawing a line between sanctioned and unsanctioned sharing with outside safety groups at the same time the industry is, slowly, inviting those groups in.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsanctioned

Adjective

Officers searched the restroom and found a package of contraband drugs, including K2, high-potency THC wax and suboxone strips.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
His current release date is scheduled for March 2028, a recent change after he was reportedly caught using a contraband cell phone to scroll on Instagram.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of contraband

Adjective

But Rankin does mention a thuggish figure named Kodama Yoshio, who worked for Japanese spy agencies in China while trading in narcotics and smuggled goods.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
The smuggled animals, which were imported from both Hong Kong and Mexico without permits, included Mexican beaded lizards, Mexican box turtles and Yucatan box turtles and baby crocodiles, prosecutors said.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 31 May 2026

Definition of smuggled

Browse Nearby Words

unlettered

unlicensed

unlikable

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“Unlicensed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlicensed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unlicensed

adjective

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