unproven

adjective

un·​prov·​en ˌən-ˈprü-vən How to pronounce unproven (audio)
 British also  -ˈprō-
: not tested and shown to be good, true, or useful : not proven
an unproven allegation/theory
unproven benefits
unproven technology

Examples of unproven in a Sentence

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.
Clubs agitating over peak age and transfer values in the centre-forward market risk going too early on promising but unproven strikers and missing out on the glaringly obvious. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 24 July 2025 But should the technology prove to be a bubble—AI products remain error-prone, extremely expensive to build, and unproven in many business applications—the Trump administration is more rapidly pushing us toward the bust. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025 Despite ongoing research, the existence of a definitive meteorite from Mercury remains unproven. Ben Rider-Stokes, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025 Abandoning a cash cow for an unproven idea is not a trivial undertaking. Zain Jaffer, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unproven

Word History

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unproven was in 1563

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Cite this Entry

“Unproven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unproven. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

unproven

adjective
un·​prov·​en
ˌən-ˈprü-vən
: not proven
an unproven allegation

More from Merriam-Webster on unproven

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