unsuccessful

adjective

un·​suc·​cess·​ful ˌən-sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce unsuccessful (audio)
: 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.
Bloomberg, an 83-year-old billionaire businessman, has also donated millions to super PACs that backed Cuomo and opposed Zohran Mamdani in Cuomo's unsuccessful primary bid and in the general election. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025 Another attempt to identify the body in 2008 using DNA was also unsuccessful. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025 After filing for bankruptcy in 2017 and mass closures in 2018 — followed by a few unsuccessful attempts at reviving the brand — the company has opened a spot in Kansas City, Kansas, at Tanger Kansas City at Legends. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025 Whether or not, Combs’ appeal replicates his string of unsuccessful $50 million bail efforts, or proves a Get Outta Jail card remains to be seen. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Nov. 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 6 Nov. 2025.

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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