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
Take one 39-year-old single woman, add in eight unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatments, deduct $12,000 in savings, insert two recommendations for in vitro fertilization (IVF), factor in an about 16% chance for success, and where does that land you?
—
Angela Hatem, Parents, 9 Dec. 2025
Though the 2006 film was unsuccessful at the box office, David remained in the entertainment industry and founded his production company.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
But China has been relatively unsuccessful at drawing countries into its venture.
—Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
Efforts to reach officials at the National Waste and Recycling Association were unsuccessful.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
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.
Angela Hatem, Parents, 9 Dec. 2025
Though the 2006 film was unsuccessful at the box office, David remained in the entertainment industry and founded his production company.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
But China has been relatively unsuccessful at drawing countries into its venture.
—Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
Efforts to reach officials at the National Waste and Recycling Association were unsuccessful.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Cite this Entry
“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuccessful. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unsuccessful
adjective
un·suc·cess·ful
ˌən(t)-sək-ˈses-fəl
: not successful : not having or producing success
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share