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
Lawmakers have raised this issue over the years, but Congress has not made serious attempts to reform these provisions since the late 1990s’ unsuccessful efforts toward a patients’ bill of rights.
—
Miranda Yaver,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
The crisis traces in part to JTBC’s costly, unsuccessful bet on strong viewership for the Milan Winter Olympics earlier this year, layered on top of a slumping advertising business.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 July 2026
Unions made various attempts to stop the return-to-office order from going into effect before July 1, but those were unsuccessful.
—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2026
She was found dead at her apartment in London, with the Poplar Coroner's Court confirming to PEOPLE at the time that police and paramedics tried to revive her but were unsuccessful.
—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
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Miranda Yaver,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
The crisis traces in part to JTBC’s costly, unsuccessful bet on strong viewership for the Milan Winter Olympics earlier this year, layered on top of a slumping advertising business.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 July 2026
Unions made various attempts to stop the return-to-office order from going into effect before July 1, but those were unsuccessful.
—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2026
She was found dead at her apartment in London, with the Poplar Coroner's Court confirming to PEOPLE at the time that police and paramedics tried to revive her but were unsuccessful.
—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
30 June 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 3 Jul. 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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