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

Republicans also know how unpopular — like, really unpopular — Trump’s Greenland folly has been. —S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026

Chili’s Grill & Bar brought back its Skillet Beef Queso last month after trying to replace it with a new item called Southwestern Queso, a move that proved unpopular. —Fielding Buck, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026

Moreover, the prospect of controlling Greenland is deeply unpopular among Americans. —Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026

Because its goal is the long-term health of the American economy, its decisions can be politically unpopular. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unpopular

• 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