# unsaid

/ənˈsɛd/ (US) · /ʌnsˈɛd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unsaid
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

describes something that is thought or felt but not spoken out loud. You use this when people understand a situation without needing to say anything.

For teachers: not expressed in words; remaining unspoken despite being understood or felt. Often used to describe tension, agreements, or feelings that are communicated through context rather than speech.

## Examples

- There was a lot of unsaid tension in the room.
- Although they never signed a contract, there was an unsaid agreement that they would share the profits equally.
- The most poignant moments of the play were the unsaid grievances that hung between the two brothers, visible only in their refusal to meet each other's gaze.

## Synonyms

unspoken, implicit, unexpressed, unstated, unvoiced

## Antonyms

spoken, explicit, stated, expressed

## Usage notes

- Typically used as an adjective before a noun or after a linking verb like 'remain'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.