unsuitable

adjective

un·​suit·​able ˌən-ˈsü-tə-bəl 

: not fitting or right for a use or purpose : not suitable

an unsuitable choice

unsuitable topics for conversation

unsuitability

ˌən-ˌsü-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unsuitability for the job

unsuitably

ˌən-ˈsü-tə-blē 

adverb

unsuitably dressed

Synonyms

• amiss
• graceless
• improper
• inapposite
• inappropriate
• inapt
• incongruous
• incorrect
• indecorous
• inept
• infelicitous
• malapropos
• perverse
• unapt
• unbecoming
• unfit
• unhappy
• unseemly
• untoward
• wrong

Examples of unsuitable in a Sentence

all the movies playing now are violent or otherwise unsuitable for a child's birthday party

Recent Examples on the Web

But regulations that apply to traditional markets are unsuitable for digital native assets like crypto and digital assets. —Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

The vacant land, which was largely unsuitable for agriculture, became an albatross over the next few decades. —Mark Dent, HubSpot, 25 Apr. 2025

Perhaps nowhere in the world is the pressure more intense than in Southern California, where the demands on the power grid are high and many residents are well acquainted with the consequences of aging, unsuitable infrastructure. —Andrew Heath, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025

Olivia Heller/The Hustle For-profit developers, for one thing, often find church and synagogue properties unsuitable for redevelopment. —Mark Dent, HubSpot, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsuitable

• mutable
• suitable
• computable
• disputable
• immutable
• imputable
• inscrutable
• executable
• indisputable
• irrefutable
• substitutable

Kids Definition

unsuitable

adjective

un·​suit·​able

ˌən-ˈsüt-ə-bəl,

ˈən-

: not suitable or fitting : unbecoming, inappropriate

unsuitably

-blē

adverb