Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not restrained or controlled: Describes something that is allowed to continue or develop without any limitation, restriction, or supervision.
   • Not examined or verified: Describes something, often data or a process, that has not been subjected to a review, inspection, or verification for accuracy or safety.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective (Not restrained):

  • The unchecked spread of the virus caused a major health crisis. (The virus spread without any measures to stop or slow it.)
  • His unchecked ambition eventually led to his downfall. (His ambition had no limits or moral restraints.)
  • We cannot allow such rumors to go unchecked. (We cannot allow such rumors to circulate without challenging or stopping them.)

• Adjective (Not examined):

  • The report was published with unchecked facts. (The facts in the report were not verified before publication.)
  • The software allows unchecked user input, which is a security risk. (The software accepts user data without validating it first.)

Advanced Usage

• "to leave something unchecked": To allow a situation, problem, or process to continue without intervention or control.
  • Corruption left unchecked will destroy public trust. (If corruption is not stopped, it will ruin public trust.)
• "to run unchecked": To operate or proceed without any controls or limits.
  • Inflation ran unchecked for months before the central bank intervened. (Inflation increased freely for months before action was taken.)

Variants and Related Words

• Uncheck (verb): To remove a checkmark or selection (primarily in computing).
• Check (verb/noun): The act of verifying, controlling, or stopping something. This is the root word from which "unchecked" is formed by adding the prefix "un-".
• Unbridled (adj): Similar in meaning to the "not restrained" sense, often used for emotions or behavior. .
• Unrestrained (adj): Not held back or controlled. .

Synonyms

• Uncontrolled: Not under control.
• Unrestrained: Not held in check; uncontrolled.
• Unverified: Not confirmed or substantiated.
• Unmonitored: Not observed or checked on.

Antonyms

• Checked: Examined, verified, or controlled.
• Restrained: Kept under control.
• Controlled: Regulated or managed.
• Verified: Confirmed as true or accurate.

Related Phrases and Usage Notes

• The term is often used in contexts involving growth, spread, or development (e.g., ) and in contexts of negligence or risk (e.g., ).
• In computing, "unchecked exception" refers to a type of error that a program is not forced to declare or handle.

Adjective

1. not restrained or controlled
   • unbridled rage
   • an unchecked temper
   • ungoverned rage