unofficial

adjective

Definition of unofficialnext
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 unofficial From 1978 through the 1980s and ’90s, Tredup served as the unofficial photographer for South Elgin’s police and fire departments, Pierce added. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 The behaviors leadership repeatedly overlooks eventually become unofficial policy. — Farida Abjani, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Harrelson went on to banter with Frazier about just how great McConaughey could be, acting as unofficial campaign manager. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2026 She was given the unofficial nickname of Studious by bear cam fans who noted her look of determination while fishing with her mom. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unofficial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unofficial
  1. unauthorized
  2. informal
Adjective
  • The company said the model had demonstrated leaps in completing tasks, but OpenAI needed to balance that capability against unauthorized behavior.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In July, Anthropic described three instances where its Claude models accessed the internet during an evaluation and gained unauthorized access to the real systems of three different organizations.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of unauthorized
Adjective
  • Gun homicides mostly affect South Africa’s poorest communities in townships and informal settlements made up of shacks and small homes on the edges of big cities.
    — Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Gun homicides mostly affect South Africa's poorest communities in townships and informal settlements made up of shacks and small homes on the edges of many big cities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of informal

Browse Nearby Words

unoccupied
unofficial
unordered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unofficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unofficial. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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