unsuccessful

adjective

un·​suc·​cess·​ful ˌən-sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce unsuccessful (audio)
Synonyms of unsuccessfulnext
: not successful : not meeting with or producing success
unsuccessfully adverb

Examples of unsuccessful in a Sentence

His last novel was unsuccessful. an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After just two unsuccessful seasons in the Cleveland suburbs, the Gunds merged their team with the North Stars, taking over Minnesota’s NHL club for the next decade. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025 This is unsuccessful communication. R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025 Attempts to reach Rourke or his representatives on Tuesday were unsuccessful. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025 Attempts to reach Kodanko for his recollection of the incident were unsuccessful. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 29 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsuccessful was in 1617

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuccessful. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

unsuccessful

adjective
un·​suc·​cess·​ful ˌən(t)-sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce unsuccessful (audio)
: not successful : not having or producing success
unsuccessfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unsuccessful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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