unauthorized

USAGE SUMMARY

'unauthorized' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is not officially approved or permitted. Example sentence: The visitor was not given access to the premises because the guard deemed them to be unauthorized.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A JIEDDO contractor even posed in 2009 as a US college student to call Afghan farmers, using the unauthorized cover story of working on a scholastic research project, to "ask about their crops and opinions on the Coalition war effort in that country".

The Guardian

"After May 22, 2015, the National Security Agency will need to begin taking steps to wind down the bulk telephone metadata program in anticipation of a possible sunset in order to ensure that it does not engage in any unauthorized collection or use of the metadata," states the memo, circulated on Capitol Hill and first reported by National Journal.

The Guardian

A 2006 analysis by the Texas comptroller estimated that low-skilled unauthorized workers cost the state treasury $504 million more than they paid in taxes in 2005.

The Economist

"Most of the infractions involve unauthorized surveillance of Americans or foreign intelligence targets in the United States," says the Post.

The Economist

However, unauthorized strikes also have taken place.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wisdom, the lowest entity in the realm of perfection, creates Ialdabaoth in an unauthorized attempt to produce a likeness of herself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Barings PLC, as the bank was called, declared bankruptcy in 1995 after an employee lost almost $1,500,000,000 on unauthorized futures and options transactions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Major discoveries of diamonds in 1908 on the mainland in the vicinity of the port of Lüderitz led to the German colonial government's closing of the area to unauthorized persons later in the same year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, it is virtually impossible to make unauthorized connections to them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The quo warranto inquiry, begun in 1275, the statutes of Gloucester (1278) and of Quo Warranto (1290) sought with much success to bring existing franchises under control and to prevent the unauthorized assumption of new ones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sheikh Mahmud Kaftaru, an influential religious figure with close ties to the regime, was arrested in early May on charges of having held unauthorized talks with Western diplomats.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions that lack official permission, use "unauthorized" to clearly convey that the action was not approved by an authority. This is especially useful in legal, security, or administrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "unauthorized" when you simply mean "informal" or "unofficial". "Unauthorized" specifically implies a lack of permission, not just a lack of formality.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unauthorized" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a lack of official approval or permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable word. Examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

35%

News & Media

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unauthorized" is frequently employed to denote actions or access lacking official endorsement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable word in written English. Analysis of 61 examples reveals prevalent usage in encyclopedias, news, and scientific publications, indicating its versatility. When choosing related terms, consider options such as "unapproved" or "unsanctioned", noting nuances in formality. It's important to avoid confusing "unauthorized" with mere informality. This detailed guide serves as a resource for accurate and context-aware usage of "unauthorized" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unapproved

Direct synonym emphasizing the lack of approval.

Unsanctioned

Highlights the absence of official permission or endorsement.

Prohibited

Emphasizes that something is formally forbidden.

Unlicensed

Specifically refers to the absence of a required license.

Illicit

Implies illegality or impropriety in addition to lack of authorization.

Banned

Suggests a formal and often public prohibition.

Unlawful

Another term emphasizing the contravention of legal standards.

Illegal

Focuses on the violation of laws or regulations.

Unaccredited

Indicates a lack of official recognition or certification.

Irregular

Implies a deviation from standard procedures or norms, lacking proper authorization.

FAQs

How to use "unauthorized" in a sentence?

You can use "unauthorized" to describe actions, access, or modifications that lack official permission or approval. For example, "The "unauthorized access" to the database was reported immediately".

What can I say instead of "unauthorized"?

You can use alternatives like "unapproved", "unsanctioned", or "illicit" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "unauthorized" or "unauthorised"?

"Unauthorized" is the standard spelling in American English, while "unauthorised" is the spelling used in British English. Both are correct, depending on the regional context.

What's the difference between "unauthorized" and "illegal"?

"Unauthorized" means lacking permission, while "illegal" means violating the law. An "unauthorized action" may not necessarily be illegal, but an illegal action is always unauthorized.