Unchecked

In a state of not being controlled, restrained, or monitored; free to proceed without restriction. This implies a lack of oversight, regulation, or limitation, often leading to potential negative consequences. It can describe behaviors, processes, or situations that are allowed to continue without any form of intervention. The absence of control often leads to growth, spread, or escalation beyond a manageable level. The term carries a strong implication of risk or potential harm due to the absence of constraints.

Unchecked meaning with examples

• The spread of misinformation on social media was unchecked, leading to widespread public confusion and erosion of trust in reliable sources. There was no regulation, allowing false narratives to proliferate rapidly and influence public opinion, leading to increased social division.
• Following the policy change, inflation went unchecked, with rising costs of goods and services negatively impacting the consumers. The government's failure to implement any economic strategy caused prices to balloon, damaging the public's trust.
• With the security protocols weakened, the hackers were able to gain unchecked access to the company's sensitive customer data, exposing them to the risk of identity theft and financial loss. This failure created major issues.
• The unchecked growth of the invasive species was devastating, destroying the native ecosystem. There was nothing to control this and it led to an extreme loss of bio-diversity and damaging effects on local flora and fauna.
• The anger built up inside him was unchecked, causing him to explode at his family, and damaging the relationship. His ability to contain his emotions was completely gone due to his inability to see the problem.