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

To get inflation down to the Fed’s goal of 2%, for example, may require the unpopular choice to keep interest rates high and grind down on the economy for a while. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

The ownership could argue, with validity, that unpopular decisions have worked in the past. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Ironically, the unpopular ICE operation in Minnesota could continue even if there is a shutdown because agents are deemed essential government employees. —Dave Goldiner, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026

White House spokesman Kush Desai didn’t mention contracting rules when asked about funding restoration, but instead tied tunnel funding to the president’s historically unpopular immigration enforcement. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 27 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