uninstructed

[ uhn-in-struhk-tid ]

adjective

1. not instructed; uninformed; uneducated.
2. (of a person acting in a representative capacity) not furnished with orders on how to proceed or vote; uncommitted:

   uninstructed convention delegates.

Other Words From

• unin·structed·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of uninstructed¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ¹ + instruct + -ed ²

Example Sentences

By the end of the presidential primary races in June, the movement had amassed over 750,000 "uncommitted," "uninstructed" or "no preference" votes, including write-in and blank-ballot protests in states without such options.

From Salon

By the close of the presidential primary circuit in June, the movement had amassed over 700,000 "uncommitted," "uninstructed" or "no preference" votes and, with the number of write-in and blank-ballot protests in states without those options, the number likely pushes three-quarters of a million, The Nation writes.

From Salon

For instance, more than 48,000 voted “uninstructed” in the Wisconsin Democratic primary in early April, which outpaced the roughly 20,700 votes by which Biden outpaced Trump in the battleground state four years ago.

From Seattle Times

In Wisconsin, a crucial swing state, they can choose a similar label, “uninstructed,” to show concern.

From New York Times

All four states have multiple candidates on the ballot, and three of them also have an option to vote for “uncommitted” or “uninstructed delegate.”

From Seattle Times