unenviable
adjective
un·en·vi·able
ˌən-ˈen-vē-ə-bəl 
: 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
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
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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
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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
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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