unenviable

adjective

un·​en·​vi·​able ˌən-ˈen-vē-ə-bəl How to pronounce unenviable (audio)
: not desirable or pleasant : not arousing envy : not enviable
an unenviable position
Kent Alterman, our director, had the unenviable task of herding cats.Will Ferrell

Examples of unenviable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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For now, Tottenham’s new-look boardroom has the unenviable task of addressing a pressing issue that could otherwise have a significant impact on the ability of Frank’s team to perform at their best in the Champions League next season. Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 July 2025 The pursuing pack awoke Sunday with the unenviable task of catching a force at the peak of his powers who, even without the padding of a four shot cushion, is rarely caught once ahead. Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 20 July 2025 Her heir-apparent will have diminished authority, impossible expectations, and the unenviable task of modernizing an institution whose departing leader refuses to depart. Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 While only two of the four runs scored on his five-inning watch were earned, the lefty put himself in unenviable positions and condensed his start with five free passes. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unenviable

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unenviable was in 1641

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Cite this Entry

“Unenviable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unenviable. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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