unfulfilling

adjective

un·​ful·​fill·​ing ˌən-fu̇(l)-ˈfi-liŋ 

also -fə(l)-

: not providing happiness or satisfaction : not fulfilling

an unfulfilling job/relationship

Examples of unfulfilling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That discomfort can make an unfulfilling role feel safer than an unexplored future. — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Many tradwife social media accounts promote the idea, either explicitly or implicitly, that returning to traditional gender roles and investing in domestic pursuits will help cisgender women have more fulfilling lives, away from what is seen as an unfulfilling world of corporate climbing. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 June 2026

Nick Lardis has spent his most recent call-up on the fourth line, an unfulfilling position given his offensive potential. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026

Gen Zers jaded by sky-high tuition costs and workers wanting to ditch their unfulfilling desk jobs are turning to blue-collar jobs as their next professional adventure. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unfulfilling

• backfilling
• distilling
• fulfilling
• infilling
• instilling
• refilling
• sawmilling
• unwilling
• billing
• chilling
• drilling
• filling