unspoken

adjective

un·​spo·​ken ˌən-ˈspō-kən 

: not spoken : expressed or understood without being directly stated

an unspoken agreement/assumption

an unspoken rule

Phrases

unspoken to

: not spoken to

… she had sat the whole evening through in the same chair without occupation, not speaking, and unspoken to.

—Anthony Trollope

Synonyms

• implicit
• implied
• tacit
• unexpressed
• unvoiced
• wordless

Examples of unspoken in a Sentence

an unspoken promise to remain faithful to one another

Recent Examples on the Web

What Are The Hidden Rules Of Office Politics? Office politics often operate under a set of unspoken rules that can easily catch you off guard. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

In order to navigate the chaos, there are a few ground rules New Yorkers live by—from subway and sidewalk etiquette to unspoken social norms. —Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024

Imbert travels across France, suggesting an unusual, unspoken patriotism. —Armond White, National Review, 1 Nov. 2024

The members of this trip connect through an unspoken yearning, and the vibrant dynamic between them soon leads Kimi to wonder what her own color might be. —Kambole Campbell, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above