unsound

adjective

un·​sound ˌən-ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce unsound (audio)
: not sound: such as
a
: not healthy or whole
an unsound horse
b
: not mentally normal : not wholly sane
of unsound mind
c
: not firmly made, placed, or fixed
structurally unsound
d
: not valid or true : invalid, specious
unsound beliefs
unsoundly adverb

Examples of unsound in a Sentence

The roof is structurally unsound. disgruntled relatives tried to prove that the woman was of unsound mind when she made her will
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.
Malzahn was hired partly to bring stability to the program, but his decision-making, talent evaluation and personnel moves have been rash and unsound. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024 But under his watch, the Sox were a wildly unsound, undisciplined team that did almost nothing right. Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 8 Aug. 2024 Dozens of complaints and subsequent health inspections were strikingly similar across the company’s properties in Denver and Aurora: black mold, pest infestations, unsound infrastructure. Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024 Eugenics was debunked as both biologically unsound and morally repugnant decades ago, but Donald Trump has repackaged its key lies to appeal to 21st-century American anxieties. Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsound 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsound was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near unsound

Cite this Entry

“Unsound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsound. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

unsound

adjective
un·​sound ˌən-ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce unsound (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not healthy or whole
an unsound horse
2
: not mentally normal : not wholly sane
of unsound mind
3
: not firmly made, placed, or fixed
an unsound structure
4
: not based on truth or logic
unsound arguments
unsoundly adverb
unsoundness
-ˈsau̇n(d)-nəs
noun

Medical Definition

unsound

adjective
un·​sound -ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce unsound (audio)
: not sound: as
a
: not healthy or whole
an unsound limb
an unsound horse
b
: not mentally normal : not wholly sane
of unsound mind
c
: not fit to be eaten
unsound food
unsoundness noun

Legal Definition

unsound

adjective
un·​sound ˌən-ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce unsound (audio)
: not sound: as
a
: not healthy or whole
b
: not mentally normal : not wholly sane
of unsound mind
c
: not firmly made, placed, or fixed
d
: not valid or true
an unsound argument
unsoundly adverb
unsoundness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unsound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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