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Glite Dictionary
unsought

unsought

1 8.0
Not asked for or wanted
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈsɔt/
: no buscado
  • And in the dark tunnel, in the haste, heat, and darkness which disfigure and make freaks and fragments of nose, eyes, and teeth, all of a sudden, unsought, a general love for all these imperfect and lurid-looking people burst out in Wilhelm's breast.
  • unsought and unplanned

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex.

Examples

  • Women were often the recipients of these unsought visions at times of great stress, particularly during mourning.

    Academic text (1998)

  • What was the reason for Aaron's unsought reminiscences?

    Fiction book (1990)

  • And she would be, as she is, unsought and unidentified?

    Academic text (1999)

  • Since Fate had decided to deal me an underage tutor, I would take full advantage of such an unsought opportunity.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • A romantic like Hugh would not be disposed to fall in love with a girl who was thrust upon him unsought and unwanted.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Other times, the rerun of a memory will bring her something true and half-forgotten, some small, unsought surprise:

    Fiction book (2001)

  • However, often the problem is unrecognized, and the remedies are unavailable or unsought.

    Blog text (25)

  • They both brought about radical, unsought change, yet narratives about them display varying degrees of regret.

    Academic text (2016)

  • The unsought advice from strangers can sometimes lead to unexpected benefits.

  • She found an unsought treasure in the attic while cleaning out old boxes.

Synonyms

unasked
vsunsought
4 6.1

Given or done without anyone requesting it

also includes things that are not wanted or wished for
undesired
vsunsought
2 3.8

Not wanted or welcome

also refers to things not requested or given without asking
unasked-for
vsunsought
1 6.2

Given to someone who does not want it

also means not wanted or lacking active desire
unrequested
vsunsought
1 5.4

Given or sent to you without you asking

also covers absence of wanting as well as lack of seeking

Antonyms

wanted
86 1.0

A person or thing many people are looking for

sought
31 3.9

Wanted by many people because it is useful

How Wanted

in demand
52 2.9
desired
97 2.5
wanted
86 1.0
unsought
1 8.0
unwanted
124 1.0

Surface Forms

unsought positive

Morphology

unsought = sought (transparent) = un + sought

The productive negating prefix 'un-' combines with the adjective 'sought' (desired/Looked-for) to mean 'not sought' in a straightforward way.

Etymology

Unsought is made from un- 'not' and sought, which comes from the verb seek 'to look for'. So unsought describes something that was 'not looked for' or a surprise offer or gift you did not ask for.