unwanted

adjective

un·​want·​ed ˌən-ˈwän-təd How to pronounce unwanted (audio)
Synonyms of unwantednext
: not wanted or needed
attracting unwanted attention
giving away some unwanted possessions

Examples of unwanted 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.
However, sodium metal is highly reactive, and its interaction with conventional liquid electrolytes can cause unwanted chemical reactions and uneven metal deposits called dendrites. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026 Reflecting on the Second World War, Hannah Arendt suggested that totalitarianism takes root in societies where lots of people feel unnecessary or unwanted. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026 To make the present feel worthless and unwanted before its time is up. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2026 Cavataro said the exemptions can be frustrating for people who believe registering their phone numbers on a do-not-call list should protect them from unwanted communications. — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwanted

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unwanted was in 1697

Rhymes for unwanted

See All Rhymes for unwanted

Browse Nearby Words

unwaning
unwanted
unware
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unwanted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwanted. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unwanted

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unwanted

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of satiate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All