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

An executive who deliberately introduces friction, contradiction and unflattering input has built something closer to a second opinion. — Samuel Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Three of the four Democrats running in the historic August 11 First Congressional District primary have been casting unflattering lights on each other’s campaign finance reports. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

All of those have sometimes been used to paint Rodgers in a certain way – usually as aloof or haughty in articles that typically were unflattering. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Banks alleged in her legal filing that the show selectively edited her words in an unflattering way. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 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