unsuccessful
adjective
un·suc·cess·ful
ˌən-sək-ˈses-fəl 
: not successful : not meeting with or producing success
Examples of unsuccessful in a Sentence
His last novel was unsuccessful.
an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
Recent Examples on the Web
Golden State Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob said his unsuccessful bid to buy the San Diego Padres assumed that the entire 2027 MLB season would likely be lost due to labor strife.
—
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026
The assailant stabbed the pope with a bayonet, but the assassination attempt was unsuccessful.
—USA Today, 6 May 2026
Attempts to reach Hafley were unsuccessful.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
Giuliani was widely lauded for leading the city’s response to the attack, setting the stage for an unsuccessful run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
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Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026
The assailant stabbed the pope with a bayonet, but the assassination attempt was unsuccessful.
—USA Today, 6 May 2026
Attempts to reach Hafley were unsuccessful.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
Giuliani was widely lauded for leading the city’s response to the attack, setting the stage for an unsuccessful run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Cite this Entry
“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuccessful. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unsuccessful
adjective
un·suc·cess·ful
ˌən(t)-sək-ˈses-fəl
: not successful : not having or producing success
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