unaccounted for

idiom

—used to say that what happened to someone or something is not known

Many people were unaccounted for after the disaster.

A great deal of money remains unaccounted for.

Examples of unaccounted for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

However, thousands remain missing and unaccounted for, with many feared killed and potentially buried in mass graves. —

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024 The Category Four hurricane left in its wake a rising death toll that has surpassed more than 220 people, according to NBC, while hundreds remain missing and unaccounted for. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024 Helene left towns underwater and thousands of North Carolinians unaccounted for. —

Alexandria Sands, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024 With the announcement of the five rescued, the total number of survivors currently stands at 33 of the 44 originally on the boat as of Nov. 26 — with seven remaining unaccounted for, BBC News, The New York Times and Sky News reported. —

David Chiu, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unaccounted for

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unaccounted for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unaccounted%20for. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

Copy Citation