2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are unsure about something, you feel uncertain about it. □ [+ about ] Fifty-two per cent were unsure about the idea. □ [+ of ] Scientists are becoming increasingly unsure of the validity of this technique.
un|sur|passed /ʌ nse r pɑː st, -pæ st/ ADJ If you describe something as unsurpassed , you are emphasizing that it is better or greater than anything else of its kind. [EMPHASIS ] □ The quality of Smallbone furniture is unsurpassed. □ [+ for ] …the Hamburg weekly, surely unsurpassed in the world for its intellectual range and quality.
un|sur|pris|ing /ʌ nsə r pra I z I ŋ/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , oft ADJ that] If something is unsurprising , you are not surprised by it because you would expect it to happen or be like it is. □ It is unsurprising that he remains so hated. □ His choice was unsurprising. ● un|sur|pris|ing|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Unsurprisingly, not everyone agrees that things are better. □ The proposals were swiftly and unsurprisingly rejected by Western ministers.
un|sus|pect|ed /ʌ nsəspe kt I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as unsuspected , you mean that people do not realize it or are not aware of it. □ A surprising number of ailments are caused by unsuspected environmental factors.
un|sus|pect|ing /ʌ nsəspe kt I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use unsuspecting to describe someone who is not at all aware of something that is happening or going to happen. □ They are charged with selling worthless junk bonds to unsuspecting depositors. □ …his unsuspecting victim.
un|sweet|ened /ʌ nswiː t ə nd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Unsweetened food or drink does not have any sugar or other sweet substance added to it.
un|swerv|ing /ʌnswɜː r v I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's attitude, feeling, or way of behaving as unswerving , you mean that it is strong and firm and does not weaken or change. □ In his diary of 1944, he proclaims unswerving loyalty to the monarchy.
un|sym|pa|thet|ic /ʌ ns I mpəθe t I k/
1 ADJ If someone is unsympathetic , they are not kind or helpful to a person in difficulties. □ Her partner was unsympathetic and she felt she had no one to turn to. □ …an unsympathetic doctor.
2 ADJ An unsympathetic person is unpleasant and difficult to like. □ …a very unsympathetic main character. □ He's unsympathetic, but charismatic and complex.
3 ADJ If you are unsympathetic to a particular idea or aim, you are not willing to support it. □ [+ to ] I'm highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.
un|tamed /ʌ nte I md/ ADJ An untamed area or place is in its original or natural state and has not been changed or affected by people. [LITERARY ] □ …the wild, untamed undergrowth. □ The interior of Corsica is high and untamed.
un|tan|gle /ʌ ntæ ŋg ə l/ (untangles , untangling , untangled )
1 VERB If you untangle something that is knotted or has become twisted around something, you undo the knots in it or free it. □ [V n] He was found desperately trying to untangle several reels of film. □ [V n] …a light, non-sticky mousse which untangles hair and adds brilliant shine.
2 VERB If you untangle a confused or complicated situation, you make the different things involved clear, or put the situation right. □ [V n] Lawyers and accountants began trying to untangle the complex affairs of the bank.
un|tapped /ʌ ntæ pt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An untapped supply or source of something has not yet been used. □ Mongolia, although poor, has considerable untapped resources of oil and minerals.
un|ten|able /ʌ nte nəb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] An argument, theory, or position that is untenable cannot be defended successfully against criticism or attack. □ This argument is untenable from an intellectual, moral and practical standpoint.
un|test|ed /ʌ nte st I d/
1 ADJ If something or someone is untested , they have not yet been tried out or have not yet experienced a particular situation, so you do not know what they will be like. □ The Egyptian Army remained an untested force.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as a drug or chemical as untested , you mean that it has not been subject to scientific tests to find out if it is safe to use. □ …the dangers of giving untested drugs to people.
un|think|able /ʌnθ I ŋkəb ə l/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is unthinkable , you are emphasizing that it cannot possibly be accepted or imagined as a possibility. [EMPHASIS ] □ Splitting the family in this way was almost unthinkable. ● N‑SING The unthinkable is something that is unthinkable. □ Edward VIII had done the unthinkable and abdicated the throne.
2 ADJ You can use unthinkable to describe a situation, event, or action which is extremely unpleasant to imagine or remember. □ This place is going to be unthinkable without you.
un|think|ing /ʌ nθ I ŋk I ŋ/ ADJ If you say that someone is unthinking , you are critical of them because you consider that they do not think carefully about the effects of their behaviour. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He doesn't say those silly things that unthinking people say. ● un|think|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ They use their own judgment, rather than unthinkingly obeying instructions.
un|ti|dy /ʌnta I di/
1 ADJ If you describe something as untidy , you mean that it is not neat or well arranged. □ The place quickly became untidy. □ …a thin man with untidy hair. □ Clothes were thrown in the luggage in an untidy heap. ● un|ti|di|ly /ʌnta I d I li/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Her long hair tumbles untidily around her shoulders. □ …the desk piled untidily with books and half-finished homework. ● un|ti|di|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The dust and untidiness in her room no longer bothered her.