unpleasant

adjective

un·​pleas·​ant ˌən-ˈple-zᵊnt 

: not pleasant : not amiable or agreeable : displeasing

unpleasant odors

unpleasantly adverb

Synonyms of unpleasant

• unpleasing
• harsh
• bad
• nasty
• ugly
• bitter
• sour
• horrible
• disgusting
• awful
• disagreeable
• sickening
• unwelcome
• rotten

Examples of unpleasant in a Sentence

I stopped taking the drug because of its unpleasant side effects.

There was an unpleasant smell coming from the basement.

The weather is so unpleasant here.

I like the shop, but the staff are so unpleasant.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cleanup Challenges Cleaning up after your home has been inundated with smoke from wildfires is unpleasant, difficult and potentially unhealthy. — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Now over time in retirement, daily life has become unpleasant. — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026

Roddy is exceptional at his work, but his thoroughly unpleasant personality almost always irks his colleagues. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026

But the drops can come with unpleasant side effects, such as tachycardia and retinal detachment. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unpleasant

• omnipresent
• peasant
• pheasant
• pleasant
• present

Kids Definition

unpleasant

adjective

un·​pleas·​ant ˌən-ˈplez-ᵊnt 

ˈən-

: not pleasant : not friendly or agreeable : displeasing

unpleasantly adverb

unpleasantness noun