as in wrong
falling short of a standard this work is entirely unacceptable

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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 unacceptable Going uninsured is an unacceptable risk for most, as a single hospital stay could cost tens of thousands of dollars. The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 5 May 2025 While no number was agreed to, Republicans gave a look into what would be unacceptable for them. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 1 May 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for unacceptable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unacceptable
Adjective
  • Ship was heading the wrong direction The training ship arrived at New York's Pier 17 and was open to the public to visit from May 13 to 17, according to the Mexican Consulate in New York.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • Baltimore deserves credit for stepping up and sending Tullis-Joyce the wrong way, particularly against a cacophonous backdrop of angry United fans behind that goal.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 23 points and OG Anunoby bounced back from two poor performances by scoring 20 for the Knicks, who can win the series Wednesday night at Boston.
    Brian Mahoney, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
  • This results in a very poor Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 232.7% (against 21.5% for the S&P 500).
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 12 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
  • In Your Lawn Clover isn't a bad plant to have growing amongst the grass.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
  • The Celtics never have a bad defender on the court.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 11 May 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
Adjective
  • However, her tragic demise spooks and haunts Jen, since her death is incredibly horrible and sad, rocking the whole Capesode community.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 14 May 2025
  • Jurors viewed for a fifth time in two days the video footage of the horrible beating that followed.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Councilmember Vivian Moreno said the timing on the prostitution detectives seems awful, with prostitution appearing to have gotten worse in recent months on Dalbergia Street in Barrio Logan.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
  • This background informs Idles’ rebellious reflex, whereas awful American rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Green Day are merely bratty.
    Armond White, National Review, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • Transgender kids, especially under the current president, are facing terrible rights losses and bigotry.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
  • Such legislation is meant to destabilize Pakistan’s internal politics, which is in no one’s interests, except those who promoted such a terrible idea in the first place.
    Christopher Shays, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025

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“Unacceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unacceptable. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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