unanswered
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnˈɑːnsəd/
US
- /ˌəˈnænsərd/
Description
- without a reply
- not responded to
- left open
An unanswered question hangs in the air, waiting for someone to speak up. An unanswered letter sits on your desk, still waiting for a reply. "Unanswered" describes anything that has not received a reply or solution, such as a call, a message, a prayer, or a cry for help. It leaves things open, with no clear end yet. Think of a detective following clues; many questions stay unanswered until the mystery is solved. Sometimes, a question with no answer can feel more powerful than one with a simple reply.
"Unanswered" describes something that has not received a response, reply, or solution. It implies a lack of acknowledgment or attention. While often used literally—like an unanswered phone call or email—it carries a weight beyond mere technical absence.
Consider the vastness of space and the age-old question of life on other planets; for centuries, this has been an unanswered query. Or think about a heartfelt letter sent to a loved one who never responds—the feeling is more than just a logistical inconvenience; it carries emotional weight.
"Unanswered" can also describe something that remains unresolved or unexplained. A crime with unanswered questions regarding the motive, a historical mystery, or even a personal struggle with unanswered doubts. It suggests incompleteness and the lingering possibility of future resolution.
In literature, unanswered prayers or pleas often symbolize despair or a sense of abandonment. In everyday life, an unanswered text message can cause anxiety or frustration. The word carries a subtle emotional charge—a hint of longing, disappointment, or even mystery. It's not simply about the absence of a response; it's about what that absence means.
Examples
- 1
Missed call
There was an unanswered call from my doctor when I checked my phone.
- 2
Customer service
Several customer emails were left unanswered over the weekend.
Pattern
leave + message/email unanswered
not reply to it
- 3
Rude comment
She refused to let his rude comment go unanswered.
Pattern
let something go unanswered
choose not to reply to it
- 4
Open question
Even after the report was published, one important question remained unanswered.
- 5
Prayer
For years, she felt that her prayers had gone unanswered.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unansweredadjective