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

Also, a wartime president for six uninterrupted years must take many unpopular decisions. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

But critics say the president has not met those expectations and has become unpopular among many of Nigeria's mostly young voters. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

But in the long run, a Middle East populated by regimes that are less willing to follow Washington’s lead on unpopular policies or to suppress public opposition would likely be more stable than the region of today. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Despite its popularity with price-conscious consumers, Temu, along with other Chinese e-commerce platforms, is unpopular among EU regulators. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 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