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
Estrada went on to appear in five postseason games, striking out five and allowing an unearned run on five hits and a walk.
2025 OUTLOOK
With Scott leaving as a free agent, Estrada will likely figure into the bridge to closer Robert Suarez.
—
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
That’s important because unearned income tends to represent a greater share of total income for the wealthy compared with the rank and file.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Last year the Red Sox led the league in unearned runs (95) and ranked second in errors (115).
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 1 Jan. 2025
But the distribution will increase your MAGI and could push you from an income level that is exempt from the surtax into one that triggers the surtax on all your unearned income.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unearned 
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Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
That’s important because unearned income tends to represent a greater share of total income for the wealthy compared with the rank and file.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Last year the Red Sox led the league in unearned runs (95) and ranked second in errors (115).
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 1 Jan. 2025
But the distribution will increase your MAGI and could push you from an income level that is exempt from the surtax into one that triggers the surtax on all your unearned income.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unearned
Dictionary Entries Near unearned
Cite this Entry
“Unearned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unearned. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unearned
adjective
un·earned
ˌən-ˈərnd 
ˈən-
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
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