unauthorized

adjective

un·​au·​tho·​rized ˌən-ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīzd How to pronounce unauthorized (audio)
Synonyms of unauthorizednext
: not authorized : without authority or permission
an unauthorized biography
unauthorized communications
was unauthorized to act for her husband

Examples of unauthorized in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Anthropic said a misconfiguration allowed Claude models to reach the internet from testing environments that were supposed to be isolated, leading to unauthorized access to three organizations’ systems. — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026 In 2026, a surge of legal disputes arose from the unauthorized use of individuals' images, voices, and creative works. — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 Netflix has offered to monitor piracy sites for unauthorized distribution or sale of the movie. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 July 2026 Users may also be put in a difficult position if someone gains access to their X account and makes unauthorized payments. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unauthorized

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unauthorized was in 1597

Rhymes for unauthorized

See All Rhymes for unauthorized

Browse Nearby Words

unauthoritative
unauthorized
unautomated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unauthorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unauthorized. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unauthorized

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unauthorized

Nglish: Translation of unauthorized for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All