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

The report also alleged that the foundational promise of the Joliet Treatment Center — available treatment for the mentally troubled — had gone largely unfulfilled. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

This echoes similar unfulfilled promises made after previous foreign strikes on Iraqi soil. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

The state’s flying-car pivot only came to light after the Miami Herald filed a records request in January, which went unfulfilled until the newspaper’s lawyer got involved. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

But Brian’s repeated, unfulfilled promises to visit her home country of Spain – as well as an avoidance of video calls – struck Silvia’s sons as strange. — Mackenzie Farkus, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 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