unused

adjective

ˌən-ˈyüzd How to pronounce unused (audio)
Definition of unusednext
1
as in unadjusted
not having acquired a habit or tolerance the runner's performance suffered because he was unused to running at such high elevations

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2
as in new
recently made and never used before preferred to start with unused pencils

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3
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment is there an unused cubicle that the temp could work out of?

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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 unused Years later, in 2012, the NRO donated two unused space telescopes from this program to NASA. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The kitchen itself, though, feels fairly unused—one tap wasn’t working, the cutlery was slightly rusty, and the whole setup had a ramshackle quality. — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026 Despite Cardoso’s presence inside, the oft-unused reserve big found a way to be one of Golden State’s few reliable scorers in the first half. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026 The college has offered a separation package of about $65,000, plus payment for unused leave, emails show. — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unused
  1. unadjusted
  2. new
  3. dormant
  4. unadapted
  5. off
  6. unaccustomed
  7. vacant
  8. idle
Adjective
  • The company said its preliminary sales grew just 1% in the past quarter, and its unadjusted earnings per share fell 2% – both below the company’s forecasts.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • Failing to report a stock sale, using an unadjusted cost basis from Form 1099-B, double-reporting equity income, or overlooking AMT issues with incentive stock options can lead to IRS notices or unnecessary overpayment of tax.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of unadjusted
Adjective
  • Now is a great time to pick up a new pair of sneakers for fall while prices are low.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
  • With the team entering a new era with a new coaching staff, Baltimore made some moves that were a bit atypical on roster cutdown day.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of new
Adjective
  • For me, Sliman was pouring water on a dormant seed anxious to sprout.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Various micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts) can also lie dormant in the tissues for centuries and can recolonize and multiply due to a ready supply of organic material—particularly if the remains have been stored in suboptimal conditions.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of dormant
Adjective
  • With more than 1,000 chapters still unadapted, the Straw Hats’ voyage could span many more seasons if the show maintains its audience and Netflix continues greenlighting new installments.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The works of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson had remained unadapted to feature film until Denzel Washington took on the challenge of bringing Fences to the big screen.
    — Kevin Jacobsen and Sammi Burke, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023
Definition of unadapted
Adjective
  • The arrival of Marmoush, a springy runner who is dangerous on the break and dynamic with his off-ball movement, helped reinforce a bolder new approach.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Diaz tacked on an RBI single in the ninth off rookie Bradley Hanner as the Astros scored six runs against New York's bullpen.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • Parker said the piranha wouldn't have survived in Pennsylvania waters for very long, out of its natural habitat, and likely unaccustomed to the survival skills needed for the wild after living as a pet.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Disaster can strike in regions unaccustomed to their fury, as North Carolinians in the western end of the state painfully learned in 2024 as Hurricane Helene deluged the region.
    — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of unaccustomed
Adjective
  • Per the current listing, the site is now vacant and shovel-ready for building out a seven-bedroom, seven-plus-bath behemoth, all connected by a private elevator.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The vacant 113,464-square-foot building sits at the northeast corner of Bowes Road and South McLean Boulevard.
    — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • There are no staffing meetings, no waiting for someone to become available and no work sitting idle because the right person is on vacation or buried under a backlog of deliverables.
    — Charles Lew, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This results in more empty containers sitting idle on chassis throughout the ports.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of idle

Browse Nearby Words

unusable
unused
unusual
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Cite this Entry

“Unused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unused. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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