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Definitions

unpaid

ADJECTIVE
free, voluntary
Synonyms
WEAK
contributed donated due freewilled gratuitous honorary unindemnified unrewarded unsalaried volunteer
Antonyms
WEAK
paid settled
ADJECTIVE
not settled; taken without remuneration
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delinquent outstanding overdue
WEAK
due in arrears mature not discharged owing past due payable undefrayed unliquidated unsettled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
paid
WEAK
settled

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There are reports that some companies are making redundancies with the promise of rehiring people as soon as conditions improve, while others are forcing their employees into taking unpaid leave.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Frank Bisignano, CEO of the Internal Revenue Service, said on Wednesday that the agency will go after every “bad actor,” including wealthy individuals and businesses, to collect unpaid taxes.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

“If you hate your wife, it’s a lot easier to justify exploiting her unpaid labor for your own personal gain,” she told me.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

With large unpaid sums at stake, tax evasion counts as a felony that can lead to prison time.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

The caption under the picture says: Elected by the people, unpaid for their services, and open to public criticism, board members must make the tough decisions.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove