unpopular

adjective

un·​pop·​u·​lar ˌən-ˈpä-pyə-lər 

: not popular : viewed or received unfavorably by the public

unpopularity

ˌən-ˌpä-pyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-

noun

unpopularly adverb

Examples of unpopular in a Sentence

I was unpopular in high school.

Her third album has been unpopular with fans.

Recent conflicts have made him unpopular among the staff.

Recent Examples on the Web

Andrews likely would not have defeated Lindsey Graham, who, though increasingly unpopular, benefited from South Carolina’s reflexive loyalty to the Republican status quo. — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

But Democrats have an advantage as the party out of power and at a time when the Republican president is overseeing an unpopular war against Iran and struggling with a stubbornly inflationary economy. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026

The piece compares the political climate to 2006, when voter frustration with an unpopular Republican president and a Middle East war helped Democrats take both chambers. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

This week, Martha Raddatz went to Virginia to see how the unpopular Iran War is playing out in a swing house district. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unpopular

• maculopapular
• popular

Kids Definition

unpopular

adjective

un·​pop·​u·​lar ˌən-ˈpäp-yə-lər 

ˈən-

: not popular : disliked by many people

unpopularity

ˌən-ˌpäp-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun