unfulfilled

adjective

un·​ful·​filled ˌən-fu̇(l)-ˈfild 

also -fə(l)-

: not fulfilled:

a

: not filled : unsatisfied, unmet

… vital unfulfilled needs of the nation …

—Harry S. Truman

b

: not carried out : not accomplished or finished

unfulfilled goals

unfulfilled shipments

c

: not converted into reality

an unfulfilled promise

d

: not having reached a point of satisfaction or happiness

… a family that includes a supportive yet equally unfulfilled wife …

—Matt Roush

Examples of unfulfilled in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mostly, Jamie is crushed by the weight of her own unfulfilled potential, further pointed out by her tinkering, emotionally unhelpful mother. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026

Delays and unfulfilled goals were not unique to Sacramento. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, his wife (Birch) confronts her own feelings of regret, unfulfilled potential, and sacrifices made for the sake of her son and family. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026

Today’s recognition arrives after a notably unfulfilled awards season for Sinners. —Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unfulfilled

• backfilled
• distilled
• fulfilled
• infilled
• instilled
• rebuild
• refilled
• unfilled
• unskilled
• untilled
• billed
• build