as in oral
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing an unwritten contract may not be enforceable

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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 unwritten However, such an unwritten code would be against SEC rules and, regardless, United categorically deny any verbal agreement exists. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 12 May 2025 Much of the unpredictability is down to Francis’ shake-up of the College of Cardinals, with his appointments better reflecting the universal church and ripping up the old, unwritten rule book for choosing cardinals whereby a bishop of a certain diocese was automatically given a red hat. Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2025 People in Japan tend to follow an unwritten commuter culture. Rocky Sharma, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 Brazile, a current ABC News contributor, added that Biden stayed relatively quiet during Trump's first 100 days in office this term, honoring an unwritten presidential tradition, and stressed that Biden deserves a platform. Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unwritten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwritten
Adjective
  • In classrooms across the country, children are routinely taught ideas that conflict with their family's religious beliefs, lawyers for the Montgomery County Public Schools told the court during April’s oral arguments.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • The state withdrew its appeal a week before the appellate court was scheduled to hear oral arguments.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Officials said the woman intentionally collided with a semi-truck and tractor and then refused officers’ verbal commands when she was pulled over.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
  • Goalkeeper Joan Garcia has joined from city rivals Espanyol for his €25million ($28.6m; £21.1m) release clause, while Athletic Club’s Nico Williams has agreed verbal terms with Barca, who do not view his €60m clause as an obstacle.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Campbell appears on the track and performs a spoken word moment in the song, and additionally features on the cover of the vinyl alongside Cyrus.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 23 June 2025
  • One method of preserving that spoken word is through academic transcription, transforming verbal content into structured knowledge in formats that can be searched, cited and shared.
    Beth Worthy, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unwritten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwritten. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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