unfavorable
adjective
un·fa·vor·able
ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl 
-ˈfā-vər-bəl
2
: not propitious : disadvantageous
an unfavorable business climate
3
: not pleasing
an unfavorable feature of the plan
unfavorableness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of unfavorable in a Sentence
She formed an unfavorable impression of him.
the company chose to accept the unfavorable settlement rather than spend more money on legal fees
Recent Examples on the Web
According to surveys by the Pew Research Center in 2022 and 2023, European views of the United States are favorable and trending upward while European views of China are unfavorable and trending downward.
—
Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2023
Many of the policy changes, experts say, may be unfavorable to certain consumers but are important for the survival of the wider insurance market.
—Jacob Bogage, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2023
Overall, 35% of Americans have a favorable view of Trump and 62% unfavorable.
—Linley Sanders, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2023
The sins of needing a late goal to tie the Netherlands and playing World Cup debutante Portugal to a scoreless draw cost them first place in Group E and condemned them to an unfavorable quadrant of the knockout bracket that ultimately sealed their fate.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2023
Fifty-two percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of Biden, versus 62% who have a negative opinion of Trump.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2023
The Global Strategy Group polling memo said Amo’s share of the vote has risen from from 4 percent in June to 19 percent now, and 43 percent of voters have a very favorable or favorable impression of him, compared to 10 percent with a very unfavorable or unfavorable impression.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023
The poll released Monday also found 76% of potential Republican primary voters have a favorable opinion of Trump, while 23% of those surveyed have an unfavorable opinion of the former president.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2023
Not to mention—the company is posting enormous losses, which are especially unfavorable to investors in today’s economic environment.
—Byjessica Mathews, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2023
See More
Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2023
Many of the policy changes, experts say, may be unfavorable to certain consumers but are important for the survival of the wider insurance market.
—Jacob Bogage, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2023
Overall, 35% of Americans have a favorable view of Trump and 62% unfavorable.
—Linley Sanders, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2023
The sins of needing a late goal to tie the Netherlands and playing World Cup debutante Portugal to a scoreless draw cost them first place in Group E and condemned them to an unfavorable quadrant of the knockout bracket that ultimately sealed their fate.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2023
Fifty-two percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of Biden, versus 62% who have a negative opinion of Trump.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2023
The Global Strategy Group polling memo said Amo’s share of the vote has risen from from 4 percent in June to 19 percent now, and 43 percent of voters have a very favorable or favorable impression of him, compared to 10 percent with a very unfavorable or unfavorable impression.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023
The poll released Monday also found 76% of potential Republican primary voters have a favorable opinion of Trump, while 23% of those surveyed have an unfavorable opinion of the former president.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2023
Not to mention—the company is posting enormous losses, which are especially unfavorable to investors in today’s economic environment.
—Byjessica Mathews, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unfavorable.' 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
1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing unfavorable
Dictionary Entries Near unfavorable
Cite this Entry
“Unfavorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfavorable. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
unfavorable
adjective
un·fa·vor·able
ˌən-ˈfāv-(ə-)rə-bəl
1
: expressing disapproval
unfavorable comments
2
: likely to make difficult or unpleasant
unfavorable weather for a camping trip
More from Merriam-Webster on unfavorable
Nglish: Translation of unfavorable for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of unfavorable for Arabic Speakers
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