unheard

adjective

un·​heard ˌən-ˈhərd How to pronounce unheard (audio)
1
a
: not perceived by the ear
Their cries for help were unheard.
b
: not given attention
The students' concerns went unheard [=were ignored] by the administration.
2
archaic : unheard-of

Examples of unheard in a Sentence

Their cries for help were unheard.
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.
Listening to it as its own, distinct work, particularly after a long quarter-century with no new music from Stevie at all, Songs in the Key of Life EP seems like a wonder—four unheard recordings from a master in full flight. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 10 Oct. 2026 The reissue features additional unheard tracks and studio chatter between the band. — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 And while former election officials and law experts who spoke to The Denver Post on Thursday disagreed about the severity of the problem, all agreed the scale of the error is unheard of. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 And valuations on several loans held by its biggest financial backer, a private-credit affiliate of KKR, range from nearly 100 cents on the dollar — a full recovery that is nearly unheard of when equity is wiped out — to around 10 cents. — Ellen Dimauro, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unheard

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unheard was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing unheard

Rhymes for unheard

See All Rhymes for unheard

Browse Nearby Words

unhealthy
unheard
unheard-of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unheard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unheard. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unheard

adjective
un·​heard ˌən-ˈhərd How to pronounce unheard (audio)
1
: not heard by the ear
2
: not given a hearing
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