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 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 Anedda’s capacity to turn perspectives around by narrating unwritten angles in the same story is her most characteristic gift. — Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 Karmelo Anthony’s bid to overturn his murder conviction returns to court in McKinney, Texas, Friday after his former lawyer testified that a dispute over an unwritten agreement helped keep Anthony from taking the stand. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwritten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwritten
  1. oral
  2. verbal
  3. spoken
Adjective
  • In contrast, a decision on the merits is typically worked on for months after full briefing and lengthy oral arguments.
    — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The high court will hear oral arguments on the case, but not until December, meaning a decision will come next year.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of oral
Adjective
  • The cycle of domestic violence can sometimes start with verbal criticism, followed by physical abuse, and then an apology, according to experts.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Serra then analogizes the spatial mediation stimulated by Shift to a verbal operation.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of verbal
Adjective
  • For Salvadoran-American food historian Karla Tatiana Vasquez, what started as a quest to document the recipes of her past transformed into the preservation of history from the spoken accounts of grandmothers, mothers and friends.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Suno is branching out from the world of AI music, launching a new feature that generates spoken voices based on scripts or prompted descriptions.
    — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 2 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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