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

The conversation about the timing surrounding the midterm elections comes as the war has become increasingly unpopular among midterm candidates, with several Republicans breaking from the White House in their rhetoric on the conflict. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026

The governor, however, has not hesitated to draw an unpopular president into the campaign. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

The tariffs have appeared unpopular in recent polling, including among a majority of independent voters. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

President Emmanuel Macron has installed a series of unpopular centrist loyalists as prime minister across his nine years in power. — Jenni Reid,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 24 Sep. 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