unwritten

adjective

ˌən-ˈri-tᵊn How to pronounce unwritten (audio)
Definition of unwrittennext
as in oral
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing an unwritten contract may not be enforceable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Matsunori There’s an unwritten rule that restaurants in Fenway like to keep things moving—patrons in this part of town often have Red Sox games or concerts at MGM Music Hall to catch. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026 Such a challenge almost never leads to a penalty in the Premier League, where the unwritten rule is that the attacker simply needs to be stronger. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Despite the rainy day, all three were clad in brown suede fall-ready shoes to complete their formal ensembles, and the familial coordination drew attention to the unwritten dress code of the British monarchy. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026 The rules of baseball, both written and unwritten, have evolved over time, with customs changing across generations, clubs, competition levels, and countries. — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwritten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwritten
  1. oral
  2. verbal
  3. spoken
Adjective
  • Advocates, many of them on TikTok, credit it with everything from better sleep to improved oral health and even changes to jawline structure.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The company is developing an oral version of the blockbuster drug Dupixent (made and co-developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi).
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of oral
Adjective
  • For people who expect visible enthusiasm, quick verbal responses, eye contact or other signs of engagement, the absence of those cues might lead them to suspect something is wrong — but that’s not always the case.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • OutKick reporter Matt Calkins, who was credentialed for the match, attempted to document the confrontation but was also subjected to verbal and physical aggression.
    — Matt Calkins , Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of verbal
Adjective
  • For the handful of Deaf linguists who attend the event, that definition extends beyond spoken language.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The model normally converts a user’s spoken instructions into a sequence of actions that the robot can execute.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of spoken

Browse Nearby Words

unwrinkled
unwritten
unyielding
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unwritten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwritten. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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