Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for unauthorized. Search instead for unauthorized/2.
Definitions

unauthorized

[uhn-aw-thuh-rahyzd] / ʌnˈɔ θəˌraɪzd /
ADJECTIVE
not sanctioned, permitted
Synonyms
STRONGEST
illegal illegitimate pirated unapproved unconstitutional unjustified unlawful unofficial unwarranted wrongful
WEAK
crooked dirty no-no off base out of bounds out of line over the line shady under-the-table unsanctioned wildcat
Antonyms
STRONGEST
authorized ethical good justifiable lawful legal legitimate moral reasonable right warranted
WEAK
allowable official permitted

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.

Hasbro confirmed "identified unauthorized access to the Company's network" in a filing made to the US government.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

In Westwood, an activist with the group People’s Vision Zero was cited for vandalism while painting a crosswalk without a permit, highlighting the legal risks of unauthorized safety efforts.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Copyright Office has called for new federal legislation to protect content creators from unauthorized, AI-generated copies of their work, but no progress has been made yet.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

So there were unauthorized people in the U.S.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

“This can’t be the first time an unauthorized person misspent money.”

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.