1
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
2
: scored as a result of an error by the opposing team
an unearned run
Examples of unearned in a Sentence
Bank interest is regarded as unearned income.
Recent Examples on the Web
Centennial touched up Amador for four unearned runs in the fifth.
—
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
The Grizzlies outhit Del Norte 8-4 on Tuesday, but the two unearned runs cost them.
—Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2024
The Yankees scored an unearned run on him in the fifth on a Giancarlo Stanton double after Juan Soto reached base on an Anderson throwing error.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
Junior southpaw Quinten Marsh was up for the occasion, throwing a complete-game four-hitter, allowing one unearned run, to lead Valley Christian to a 4-1 victory and into a tie with Serra on top of the West Catholic Athletic League standings.
—Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
In the third inning, a more routine ground ball that got past Mookie Betts at shortstop — where the former MVP has been playing regularly for the first time as a professional — led to another unearned run, the fourth in a five-run, three-inning start from right-hander Gavin Stone.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Kennedy and his partner on the case, Jay Clark, said Fleetwood’s previous work as an informant gave him unearned credibility with police.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
The 34-year-old right-hander allowed two hits and struck out one while giving up an unearned run.
—Jon Becker, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024
Coming after such sentimental plot trappings, the film’s final third-act surprise remains mostly unearned.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 13 Jan. 2024
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
The Grizzlies outhit Del Norte 8-4 on Tuesday, but the two unearned runs cost them.
—Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2024
The Yankees scored an unearned run on him in the fifth on a Giancarlo Stanton double after Juan Soto reached base on an Anderson throwing error.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
Junior southpaw Quinten Marsh was up for the occasion, throwing a complete-game four-hitter, allowing one unearned run, to lead Valley Christian to a 4-1 victory and into a tie with Serra on top of the West Catholic Athletic League standings.
—Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
In the third inning, a more routine ground ball that got past Mookie Betts at shortstop — where the former MVP has been playing regularly for the first time as a professional — led to another unearned run, the fourth in a five-run, three-inning start from right-hander Gavin Stone.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Kennedy and his partner on the case, Jay Clark, said Fleetwood’s previous work as an informant gave him unearned credibility with police.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
The 34-year-old right-hander allowed two hits and struck out one while giving up an unearned run.
—Jon Becker, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024
Coming after such sentimental plot trappings, the film’s final third-act surprise remains mostly unearned.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 13 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unearned.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unearned
Cite this Entry
“Unearned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unearned. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unearned
adjective
un·earned
ˌən-ˈərnd 
ˈən-
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
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