unflattering

adjective

un·​flat·​ter·​ing ˌən-ˈfla-tə-riŋ 

: not flattering

an unflattering portrait

especially : unfavorable

unflattering remarks

unflatteringly

ˌən-ˈfla-tə-riŋ-lē 

adverb

Examples of unflattering in a Sentence

She was wearing the most unflattering outfit.

Recent Examples on the Web

The thousands of hours of tapes made public over the years — they are now controlled by the National Archives — provide a unique, if often unflattering, view of Nixon. —Douglass K. Daniel, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

Check your winter wardrobe and toss any damaged or unflattering items, then eliminate any spring clothing that doesn’t fit or looks outdated. —Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026

The conspiracy theories and potentially unflattering bedfellows are then rattled off — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Romanian church accused in a child trafficking scandal. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026

Liu's win on Thursday has ensured Gu will ski upon the backdrop of viral, and often unflattering, comparisons to Liu by American patriots on social media. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unflattering

• backscattering
• battering
• chattering
• clattering
• flattering
• pattering
• scattering
• shattering
• smattering
• spattering