unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
unhealthier; unhealthiest
1
: not conducive to health : not healthful
an unhealthy climate
unhealthy habits
unhealthy foods
2
: not in good health : sickly, diseased
unhealthy animals
3
a
: risky, unsound
an unhealthy economy
b
: of a harmful nature : bad, injurious
unhealthy levels of lead
c
: morally contaminated : corrupt, unwholesome
an unhealthy imagination
unhealthily adverb
unhealthiness noun

Example Sentences

Her skin looks blotchy and unhealthy. Tests revealed an unhealthy level of lead in the water. Eating honey can be unhealthy for babies. He was stuck in an unhealthy relationship. She has an unhealthy interest in natural disasters.
Recent Examples on the Web Is limerence unhealthy? Olivia Muenter, Woman's Day, 4 Apr. 2023 Individuals experiencing stress are also more likely to endorse unhealthy behaviors, like smoking, excessive drinking, substance use, lack of sleep and physical inactivity. Katia Hetter, CNN, 4 Apr. 2023 And evidence indicates the existence of these loans can facilitate unhealthy consumer behaviors that can trap people in debt. Jessica Roy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2023 There have been plenty of studies that show that people of a quote-unquote normal weight—a significant amount of them will be metabolically unhealthy. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2023 How unhealthy is a hot dog? Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 23 Mar. 2023 Sandwiches are often unhealthy. Gretchen Tarrant, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2023 The agency said that exposure to even tiny amounts of the two most prominent PFAS is unhealthy. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2023 Sin taxes are often advanced for the dual purposes of raising revenue and deterring unhealthy behavior. Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unhealthy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unhealthy was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near unhealthy

Cite this Entry

“Unhealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhealthy. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

unhealthy

adjective
un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
1
: not conducive to good health : not healthful
an unhealthy climate
2
: not in good health : sickly, diseased
3
a
: risky, unsound
an unhealthy economy
b
unhealthily adverb
unhealthiness noun

Medical Definition

unhealthy

adjective
un·​healthy -ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
unhealthier; unhealthiest
1
: not conducive to health
an unhealthy climate
2
: not in good health : sickly
unhealthiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unhealthy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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