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
Hudson Stockton took over for Martinez when the game resumed on Saturday and gave up an unearned run in the first, but got out of a bases loaded jam with an inning ending double play.
—
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2024
Marsh was charged with an unearned run and escaped further trouble.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2024
Neither offense could muster a hit as the early makings of a pitching duel unfolded.
Baltimore, which entered the game tied for the second-fewest errors in baseball at 14, then allowed three unearned runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
—Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2024
Marlins starter Sixto Sanchez gave up three unearned runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for unearned 
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2024
Marsh was charged with an unearned run and escaped further trouble.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2024
Neither offense could muster a hit as the early makings of a pitching duel unfolded.
Baltimore, which entered the game tied for the second-fewest errors in baseball at 14, then allowed three unearned runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
—Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2024
Marlins starter Sixto Sanchez gave up three unearned runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for unearned
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 5 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unearned
adjective
un·earned
ˌən-ˈərnd 
ˈən-
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
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