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 Many of the stodgier unwritten rules are ignored or no longer enforced, but some things remain constant, especially in the stands. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025 Indeed, Trump’s legal team insisted to the Times that there was an unwritten understanding between the pair. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025 Another example, as CalMatters revealed last year, is an unwritten rule that prohibits legislators from actually discussing changes in their bills during committee meetings, essentially rendering such hearings to meaningless charades. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025 Another example, as CalMatters revealed last year, is an unwritten rule that prohibits legislators from actually discussing changes in their bills during committee meetings, essentially rendering such hearings to meaningless charades. Dan Walters, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unwritten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwritten
Adjective
  • Houry argued in her testimony that Kennedy’s direction will not Make America Health Again, pointing to staffing cuts at offices focused on tobacco, HIV, oral health and screenings for newborns.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The company also cites statistics that show a lot of room for growth in the electric oral care category.
    Joan Verdon, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That could put them at a disadvantage compared to upcoming glasses like those from Google, which have a display for showing information along with providing verbal answers.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
  • As such, wardrobe styling and other modes of non-verbal communication — from raising an eyebrow or throwing a cutting look to the way one lights a cigarette or sways to a disco beat — were particularly key to creating character.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • During an early September tour of the facilities, the hospital's soft-spoken leader disappears into the background.
    Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • When a Republican member of Congress asked House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) if the moment of silence for Kirk could be changed to spoken prayer, a shouting match with the chamber’s Democrats ensued.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unwritten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwritten. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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