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 Congratulations to 51-year-old Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson, who with a 220-209 vote Wednesday won the unenviable job of herding the cats, snakes and peacocks in the GOP menagerie. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2023 That leaves women in the same unenviable position, playing a hapless game of catch-up as the status quo remains. Jane Thier, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2023 This is another reason behind my decision to resign—I’d rather not put myself in the unenviable position of saying no to things only to have a jury of bridesmaid enthusiasts pass judgment. Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2023 This little, silver bird holds the unenviable title of being the most endangered bird in the United States. Dino Grandoni, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Aug. 2023 Epson has the unenviable task of having to structure the software interface to appeal to both beginners and experienced users. David English, PCMAG, 15 Sep. 2023 Online, some French people joked that, to enforce the new ban, school administrators and teachers would be given the unenviable task of distinguishing between abayas and regular long dresses. Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2023 Dillingham now faces the unenviable task of motivating a team with no reward at the end. Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 27 Aug. 2023 Cursed with the unenviable burden of sky-high expectations. Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unenviable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unenviable was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near unenviable

Cite this Entry

“Unenviable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unenviable. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

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