unflattering

play

adjective un·flat·ter·ing \ ˌən-ˈfla-tə-riŋ \

Definition of unflattering

:not flattering

an unflattering portrait

; especially :unfavorable

unflattering remarks

—

unflatteringly

play \ˌən-ˈfla-tə-riŋ-lē\ adverb

See unflattering defined for English-language learners

Examples of unflattering in a Sentence

She was wearing the most unflattering outfit.

Recent Examples of unflattering from the Web

Suddenly, your fun was riddled with disaster, and your personal spotlight switched to the most unflattering halogen bulb, exposing every blemish and imperfection.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What This Week's Horoscope Means for You," 28 Aug. 2017
With a police investigation at least ostensibly ongoing, Hearns has little to gain by providing an account that could prove unflattering or be contradicted in court.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Sullivan: Gunshot wound leaves U of L's Hearns unchanged," 5 Aug. 2017
The constant pressure to perfect your feed: 64 percent of women in our survey admit to monitoring their accounts and taking action when a snarky comment appears on a post or an unflattering photo is shared.

— shaun dreisbach, Glamour, "50 States of Women," 1 Aug. 2017
The New York Times and Washington Post publish unflattering exposes of the administration on a near-nightly basis — occasionally, stumbling upon malfeasance that eluded the gaze of entire intelligence agencies.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Six Months In, Is Trump’s America Living Up to Liberals’ Worst Fears?," 22 July 2017
Alabama's junior receiver said he's heard more of the unflattering assessments of the program's perception.

— michael casagrande, AL.com, "Alabama WR: People don't respect Tide, teams not scared anymore," 12 July 2017
Runners and other fitness junkies don't have to pull on the universally unflattering exercise tights until February—thank goodness.

— candace higginbotham, Southern Living, "The Essential Guide To What To Toss (And Keep) After Labor Day," 11 July 2017
The emails shine an unflattering spotlight on one of Texas’ brightest political stars: Jones, a former prosecutor and one-time state lawmaker, is the founder of Hillco Partners, one of Austin’s most influential lobbying firms.

— matthew watkins and jim malewitz, star-telegram, "As Baylor regent, lobbyist called drinking female students ‘perverted little tarts’," 2 July 2017
Reputation Fixers Last year, Welter sought to change her unflattering history.

— joe mullin, Ars Technica, "Without telling media, Arizona judge orders dozens of articles to be deleted," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unflattering.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unflattering

1581

UNFLATTERING Defined for English Language Learners

unflattering

play

adjective

Definition of unflattering for English Language Learners

: making someone or something look or seem worse or less attractive : not flattering

Learn More about unflattering

See words that rhyme with unflattering Spanish Central: Translation of unflattering Nglish: Translation of unflattering for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up unflattering? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

unflattering

Definition of unflattering

unflatteringly

Examples of unflattering in a Sentence

Recent Examples of unflattering from the Web

First Known Use of unflattering

UNFLATTERING Defined for English Language Learners

unflattering

Definition of unflattering for English Language Learners

Learn More about unflattering

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

toothsome

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

unflattering

Definition of unflattering

unflatteringly

From the M-W Editors

Examples of unflattering in a Sentence

Recent Examples of unflattering from the Web

First Known Use of unflattering

UNFLATTERING Defined for English Language Learners

unflattering

Definition of unflattering for English Language Learners

Learn More about unflattering

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066