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

But for anyone disturbed by the way To Catch a Predator executes its faux-law enforcement busts, the movie risks becoming viscerally unpleasant. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Are those seats empty for a neutral reason or an unpleasant reason? — Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Since these ships will be operating in the North Atlantic, hijacking is extremely unlikely, and anyone breaking into a reactor vessel in port would suffer a very fast and unpleasant end. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Anna is a character who could easily be labeled unpleasant, mean and evil. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 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