unsuccessful

adjective

un·​suc·​cess·​ful ˌən-sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce unsuccessful (audio)
: not successful : not meeting with or producing success
unsuccessfully adverb

Examples of unsuccessful in a Sentence

His last novel was unsuccessful. an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After numerous appeals — which have been unsuccessful — Drew began campaigning for a new trial; In April 2024, his request was denied by a judge, per NBC Chicago. Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025 Collins died after two weeks stuck while other cavers mounted unsuccessful rescue attempts. Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025 Businesswoman Supha Xayprasith-Mays of Bentonville on Tuesday announced her bid for governor in the 2026 elections, four years after making an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor. Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2025 Trump thus far has been unsuccessful in trying to remove Governor Lisa Cook from the board. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsuccessful was in 1617

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuccessful. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

unsuccessful

adjective
un·​suc·​cess·​ful ˌən(t)-sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce unsuccessful (audio)
: not successful : not having or producing success
unsuccessfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unsuccessful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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