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
Miami starter Max Meyer was pulled after five innings, having limited the Giants to just one unearned run.
—
Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
David Bednar, the third reliever, allowed an unearned run in the ninth while getting his eighth save in nine chances when Ezequiel Duran grounded into a forceout with two on.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Vientos’ error ultimately led to just one (unearned) run, which was charged to McLean.
—Peter Sblendorio, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Vientos’ error ultimately led to just one (unearned) run, but the margins are painfully thin for a Mets team that managed only four hits against four Rockies pitchers in Game 1.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unearned
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Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
David Bednar, the third reliever, allowed an unearned run in the ninth while getting his eighth save in nine chances when Ezequiel Duran grounded into a forceout with two on.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Vientos’ error ultimately led to just one (unearned) run, which was charged to McLean.
—Peter Sblendorio, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Vientos’ error ultimately led to just one (unearned) run, but the margins are painfully thin for a Mets team that managed only four hits against four Rockies pitchers in Game 1.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unearned
Cite this Entry
“Unearned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unearned. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unearned
adjective
un·earned
ˌən-ˈərnd 
ˈən-
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
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