unprotected

adjective

un·​pro·​tect·​ed ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd How to pronounce unprotected (audio)
Synonyms of unprotectednext
1
: lacking protection or defense
unprotected troops
skin unprotected from the sun's rays
2
: performed without the use of birth control to prevent pregnancy
also : performed without the use of a condom to prevent spread of sexually transmitted infection
unprotected sex

Examples of unprotected in a Sentence

They're planning to build roads over thousands of acres of unprotected land. If your computer is unprotected, you're likely to get a virus.
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 depth of the frontcourt behind Cardoso and Reese could make the forward the most logical addition to the unprotected list. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 That was crucial in the early days of the pandemic, as the virus that causes COVID, SARS-CoV-2, burned through a completely unprotected population. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026 Despite speaking up repeatedly since, the number of unprotected cameras only continues to grow. ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026 Many bike lanes are still unprotected or vulnerable to traffic. Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unprotected

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unprotected was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unprotected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprotected. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

unprotected

adjective
un·​pro·​tect·​ed ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd How to pronounce unprotected (audio)
1
: lacking protection or defense
unprotected troops
skin unprotected from the sun's rays
2
: performed without the use of birth control to prevent pregnancy
also : performed without the use of a condom to prevent the spread of a sexually transmitted disease
unprotected sex

Medical Definition

unprotected

adjective
un·​pro·​tect·​ed -prə-ˈtek-təd How to pronounce unprotected (audio)
: not protected
especially : performed without measures to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease
unprotected sexual intercourse

More from Merriam-Webster on unprotected

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster