unfavorable

adjective

un·​fa·​vor·​able ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl 

-ˈfā-vər-bəl

1

a

: opposed, contrary

b

: expressing disapproval : negative

unfavorable reviews

2

: not propitious : disadvantageous

an unfavorable business climate

3

: not pleasing

an unfavorable feature of the plan

unfavorableness noun

unfavorably

ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-blē 

-ˈfā-vər-bəl

adverb

Synonyms

• adverse
• counter
• disadvantageous
• hostile
• inimical
• negative
• prejudicial
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic
• untoward

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

The development previously received an unfavorable opinion from the Gary Rezoning department and plan commission. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025

Deaton said the poll also found that 60% of those surveyed had an unfavorable opinion of Trump. —Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 7 May 2025

The headwinds were already looking unfavorable for Tesla even before CEO Elon Musk threw his lot in with Donald Trump and his authoritarian makeover of the US government. —ArsTechnica, 6 May 2025

Companies often delay IPOs due to unfavorable market conditions, regulatory hurdles or internal issues, potentially prolonging investors' holding periods beyond initial projections. —Bhaskar Ahuja, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing unfavorable

• in an unfavorable light

Rhymes for unfavorable

• favorable

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

unfavorably

-blē 

adverb