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

With Dart now the starter in New York, however, Ward will need to overcome unfavorable surroundings and orchestrate a Titans turnaround to stay in the top spot. —Dane Brugler, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

After an unfavorable appeals court decision in December, Nasdaq stopped mandating companies disclose their board gender and diversity stats. —Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025

Republicans are much less likely than Democrats to express unfavorable views of Israel, Pew found. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 30 Sep. 2025

With Prescott’s performance canceled out by yet another rough defensive outing, the result could have easily found itself in a much more unfavorable manner. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 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