unfinished

adjective

un·​fin·​ished ˌən-ˈfi-nisht How to pronounce unfinished (audio)
Synonyms of unfinishednext
: not finished:
a
: not brought to an end or to the desired final state
an unfinished building/play/sentence
b
: being in a rough state : unpolished
unfinished wood
c
: subjected to no other processes (such as bleaching or dyeing) after coming from the loom

Examples of unfinished 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.
The first note, brushstroke, or sentence is meaningless; an unfinished first paragraph is humiliating. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026 Karmic Saturn moves into your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, asking you to close unfinished chapters with gentle honesty and real rest. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 Construction lights cut across the unfinished stage at Pacific Electric, illuminating a curved proscenium arch that already feels larger than life. Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026 Her post about an unfinished breakfast sandwich almost broke the internet from Pyeongchang. Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfinished

Word History

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfinished was in 1539

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Cite this Entry

“Unfinished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfinished. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

unfinished

adjective
un·​fin·​ished ˌən-ˈfin-isht How to pronounce unfinished (audio)
: not finished
especially : not brought to the desired state
unfinished furniture

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