unsuccessful
adjective
un·suc·cess·ful
ˌən-sək-ˈses-fəl 
: not successful : not meeting with or producing success
Examples of unsuccessful in a Sentence
His last novel was unsuccessful.
an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
Recent Examples on the Web
Halo Ridge was an opportunity born from several unsuccessful project ideas that fell flat before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to developers.
—
Kendrick Calfee
february 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
Housing and construction-worker shortages during the Second World War prompted a wave of (ultimately unsuccessful) attempts to mass-produce starter homes in the United States.
—Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
That effort ultimately was unsuccessful and helped create Lightfoot’s sour relations with the City Council toward the end of her single term.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Attempts to reach Barton were unsuccessful.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
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Kendrick Calfee
february 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
Housing and construction-worker shortages during the Second World War prompted a wave of (ultimately unsuccessful) attempts to mass-produce starter homes in the United States.
—Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
That effort ultimately was unsuccessful and helped create Lightfoot’s sour relations with the City Council toward the end of her single term.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Attempts to reach Barton were unsuccessful.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Cite this Entry
“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuccessful. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unsuccessful
adjective
un·suc·cess·ful
ˌən(t)-sək-ˈses-fəl
: not successful : not having or producing success
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