unprotected
adjective
un·pro·tect·ed
ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd 
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
The league’s rules around the next round of expansion have yet to be revealed, but if teams are only able to protect three (or four) players again this season, there’s very little chance Pannek and Zumwinkle sneak through should they be left unprotected again.
—
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Adding unprotected seed compounds the problem.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
In Hendrix's case, his intestines, spleen, liver and stomach were outside of his body, unprotected.
—Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Roosevelt found the constant security presence tiresome, however, and would sometimes slip away for unprotected hikes or horseback rides in Washington’s Rock Creek Park, according to the White House Historical Association.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
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Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Adding unprotected seed compounds the problem.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
In Hendrix's case, his intestines, spleen, liver and stomach were outside of his body, unprotected.
—Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Roosevelt found the constant security presence tiresome, however, and would sometimes slip away for unprotected hikes or horseback rides in Washington’s Rock Creek Park, according to the White House Historical Association.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unprotected
Cite this Entry
“Unprotected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprotected. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unprotected
adjective
un·pro·tect·ed
ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd
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
: not protected
especially
: performed without measures to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease
unprotected sexual intercourse
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