as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unsatisfactory Co-developed by Toyota, the Subaru EV had ho-hum looks, average acceleration, just acceptable range and unsatisfactory charging infrastructure. Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 The unsatisfactory solution might just be giving up exporting to the U.S. The tit for tat imposition of tariffs and reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China puts a magnifying glass over the scope of competitive threat the Chinese auto industry to the domestic companies. Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, tens of thousands of public servants have been fired, some under the guise of unsatisfactory employee assessments, as the Trump administration works to slash the size of the federal workforce. Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025 Divorce is more stigmatized in these cultures, and individuals are less likely to seek separation, even in unsatisfactory marriages. Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
  • Cutting them to fund tax breaks for the wealthy is unacceptable.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Change fatigue can cause corporate leadership to become more willing to accept the unwelcome, and to normalize the unacceptable.
    Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Consumer spending softened, increasing 1.8%, down from a 4% rise in the fourth quarter, but a decent performance in light of stock market turmoil and poor weather early in the quarter.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • These factors could contribute material risk to Nike’s earnings and put the company in a poor position to manage near-term headwinds.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some would argue that picking a celebrity is the wrong way forward.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 5 May 2025
  • In the 20th century, however, things started to go wrong.
    Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump intends to completely reimagine U.S. trade relations with our closest partners and fiercest rivals, for better or worse.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • As an attempt to derive meaning from a meaningless phrase —which was, after all, the user's request—that's not half bad.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Those who are deficient in magnesium are more likely to have anemia.
    Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
  • However, the team continues through the postseason, things could be tougher as other teams won't be as deficient in the frontcourt as the Lakers.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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