in an unfavorable light
idiom
: in a way that makes someone or something look bad
The article cast/put him in an unfavorable light.
Examples of in an unfavorable light in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Part of two generations now that have painted them in an unfavorable light.
—
Paul Tassi, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Yet more than a third of young people see both parties in an unfavorable light.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 27 June 2024
Yet, workplace gossip is typically viewed in an unfavorable light.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Following his handling of the 2020 season, Manfred has been viewed largely in an unfavorable light by the fans.
—Jules Posner, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022
The minority is more likely to view issues as opportunities to cast the majority in an unfavorable light, and the majority will be less likely to make concessions.
—William A. Galston, WSJ, 25 May 2021
As evidence, the authors pointed to sagging growth in Tesla vehicle demand; a YouGov poll showing Musk’s favorability in decline; comments from a few auto analysts; and a smattering of anecdotes that put the entrepreneur in an unfavorable light.
—Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2023
In the past, North Korea has responded dramatically to attempts to paint the regime in an unfavorable light.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 23 Jan. 2023
There have also been the explosive revelations shared by the Sussexes in their Netflix series and in Prince Harry’s autobiography, published tomorrow, some of which paint Kate and her husband, Prince William, in an unfavorable light.
—Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2023
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Paul Tassi, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Yet more than a third of young people see both parties in an unfavorable light.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 27 June 2024
Yet, workplace gossip is typically viewed in an unfavorable light.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Following his handling of the 2020 season, Manfred has been viewed largely in an unfavorable light by the fans.
—Jules Posner, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022
The minority is more likely to view issues as opportunities to cast the majority in an unfavorable light, and the majority will be less likely to make concessions.
—William A. Galston, WSJ, 25 May 2021
As evidence, the authors pointed to sagging growth in Tesla vehicle demand; a YouGov poll showing Musk’s favorability in decline; comments from a few auto analysts; and a smattering of anecdotes that put the entrepreneur in an unfavorable light.
—Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2023
In the past, North Korea has responded dramatically to attempts to paint the regime in an unfavorable light.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 23 Jan. 2023
There have also been the explosive revelations shared by the Sussexes in their Netflix series and in Prince Harry’s autobiography, published tomorrow, some of which paint Kate and her husband, Prince William, in an unfavorable light.
—Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“In an unfavorable light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20an%20unfavorable%20light. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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