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

Every unfulfilled promise weakens that foundation. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026

The author emphasizes that this represents meaningful action, in contrast to years of unfulfilled political promises to address foreign competition. —Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026

Even ahead of his hour-long speech in the Capitol, Assembly Republicans charged that the governor’s eight-year term culminated in unfulfilled efforts to lower the cost of living for California families. —Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026

The decision ends McDaniel’s four-year tenure in Miami, a period defined by soaring expectations that ultimately went unfulfilled. —Alanis Thames, Chicago Tribune, 8 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