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

• negative
• adverse
• hostile

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

Sherrill received a 40 percent favorability rating, compared to a 29 percent unfavorable rating. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

Although dry air and other unfavorable atmospheric conditions have recently hindered development, the disturbance is expected to move into a more favorable environment later this week, giving it a better chance to become organized. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025

The goal is apparently not to win in court but to scare professionals away from doing their work in ways that are unfavorable to him and his agenda. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025

Trump has a history of suing the media over unfavorable coverage. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 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