unfavorable
adjective
un·fa·vor·able
ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl 
-ˈfā-vər-bəl
1
2
: not propitious : disadvantageous
an unfavorable business climate
3
: not pleasing
an unfavorable feature of the plan
unfavorableness
noun
Examples of unfavorable in a Sentence
She formed an unfavorable impression of him.
the company chose to accept the unfavorable settlement rather than spend more money on legal fees
Recent Examples on the Web
In February, the Crown Point Plan Commission voted 4-3 to give an unfavorable recommendation for the zoning request.
—
Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
When light is insufficient or atmospheric conditions are unfavorable so that a person or vehicle on the highway is not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
Residents have positive perceptions about Mamdani A majority of adults, at 55%, have either a very favorable or somewhat favorable view, and 33% have either a somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In each case, the difference between favorable and unfavorable now is roughly within the margin of error of the poll, which surveyed 613 likely voters statewide through online interviews March 20-25.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfavorable
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Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
When light is insufficient or atmospheric conditions are unfavorable so that a person or vehicle on the highway is not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
Residents have positive perceptions about Mamdani A majority of adults, at 55%, have either a very favorable or somewhat favorable view, and 33% have either a somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In each case, the difference between favorable and unfavorable now is roughly within the margin of error of the poll, which surveyed 613 likely voters statewide through online interviews March 20-25.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfavorable
Cite this Entry
“Unfavorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfavorable. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unfavorable
adjective
un·fa·vor·able
ˌən-ˈfāv-(ə-)rə-bəl
1
: expressing disapproval
unfavorable comments
2
: likely to make difficult or unpleasant
unfavorable weather for a camping trip
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