unacceptable

adjective

un·​ac·​cept·​able ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
-ak-
: not acceptable : not pleasing or welcome
unacceptability noun
unacceptably adverb

Examples of unacceptable in a Sentence

a word that is unacceptable in formal English Some of her ideas were unacceptable to other people.
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.
So, that was an unacceptable mistake by me. Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 Major Dustin Cosson with the sheriff’s office told ABC 13 that the couple’s explanation was unacceptable. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 As for Tagovailoa, Sunday was an embarrassment, a performance entirely unacceptable for a $53 million quarterback. Barry Jackson updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 Doing nothing while someone steamrolls over you and the Constitution is unacceptable. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unacceptable

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unacceptable was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unacceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unacceptable. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

unacceptable

adjective
un·​ac·​cept·​able ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
-ak-
: not acceptable : not pleasing or welcome
unacceptably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unacceptable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!