unsuitable

adjective

un·​suit·​able ˌən-ˈsü-tə-bəl How to pronounce unsuitable (audio)
: not fitting or right for a use or purpose : not suitable
an unsuitable choice
unsuitable topics for conversation
unsuitability noun
unsuitability for the job
unsuitably adverb
unsuitably dressed

Examples of unsuitable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But critics often contend the structures have become unsafe over the years and are unsuitable to withstand the modern threats of a changing climate. Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 Multiple embryos are typically frozen in case initial embryo transfers are unsuccessful, if the complex freezing and thawing process renders the embryos unsuitable for transfer, or if a patient desires more children in the future. Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 Liberals find the state too expensive and unsuitable for raising a family; conservatives disapprove of, well, almost everything. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The site is unsuitable for construction, so any new project is reliant on the city spending tens of millions of dollars to get the land suitable for sale. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 10 Feb. 2024 This can force salt water, or brine, into freshwater creating land unsuitable for farming, Olson said. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Feb. 2024 Temperatures would be increasingly unsuitable for both species, the researchers said, but white rhinos probably would be affected earlier. USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024 Therefore, triploid genetics won't eliminate diploids, as triploids are unsuitable for breeding. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 However, the strand was unsuitable for DNA profiling at the time, said court documents submitted by the Suffolk County district attorney’s office. Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsuitable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsuitable was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near unsuitable

Cite this Entry

“Unsuitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuitable. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unsuitable

adjective
un·​suit·​able
ˌən-ˈsüt-ə-bəl,
ˈən-
: not suitable or fitting : unbecoming, inappropriate
unsuitably
-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unsuitable

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