unfavorable

adjective

un·​fa·​vor·​able ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce unfavorable (audio)
-ˈfā-vər-bəl
1
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 How to pronounce unfavorable (audio)
-ˈfā-vər-bəl
adverb

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfavorable was in 1548

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.

Kids Definition

unfavorable

adjective
un·​fa·​vor·​able ˌən-ˈfāv-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce unfavorable (audio)
1
: expressing disapproval
unfavorable comments
2
: likely to make difficult or unpleasant
unfavorable weather for a camping trip
unfavorably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unfavorable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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