unacceptable

adjective

ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
Definition of unacceptablenext
as in wrong
falling short of a standard this work is entirely unacceptable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Laying an egg against the Raiders in Year 3 of the Harbaugh era is unacceptable. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026 After monitoring the situation, park managers found the bear unusually difficult to scare away and said its escalating proximity to humans posed a safety risk that was deemed unacceptable, according to the national park. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 The Anti-Defamation League called Macklemore's comments unacceptable, and the Israeli American Council circulated a petition seeking his removal from the rest of the tour. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 Predominantly African American communities should not be expected to tolerate conditions that government has concluded are unacceptable in downtown Baltimore. — Lawrence Bell, Baltimore Sun, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unacceptable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unacceptable
  1. wrong
  2. poor
  3. lame
  4. bad
  5. horrible
  6. terrible
  7. deficient
  8. awful
Adjective
  • September 23 – October 22 Money and social plans could rub each other the wrong way today.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Signing the wrong license, particularly for the first one, can be an expensive mistake.
    — David Born, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Because of the drought, woodland deer food is not abundant in most of the state this year, and what exists is in poor condition with low nutritional value.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The Maracana's turf has been a concern for almost two weeks due to its poor shape amid a long season in Brazilian soccer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • Supporters hope for a vote during the post-election lame-duck session, potentially as part of a year-end package.
    — Shira Lazar, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Even as Swift shines in the light of holy matrimony, there are still plenty of lame dudes out there for Taylor to crush across three-minute pop masterstrokes — and, God-willing, there always will be.
    — Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • Why is Indonesia experiencing its worst ever wildfire season?
    — TheWeek, TheWeek, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Interior designers and professional organizers say most kitchens hide usable square footage in plain sight, trapped behind clutter, bad habits and bulky gear that could be stored smarter or edited out entirely.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • At its worst, cognitive impairment can be a horrible, life-altering disease for patient and loved ones.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Doubs had a horrible debut in the league’s season opener last week against the Seattle Seahawks.
    — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • In any case, the nation’s approach toward Europe was not to meddle in its internal affairs but, rather, to avoid another terrible Continental war.
    — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Offensive lineman Steve Avila was a member of the 2024 Rams team that turned it around after a terrible start.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrible
Adjective
  • High base, cuts to public capex for meeting fiscal deficit targets and the impact of deficient rains on sowing patterns are some of the key reasons the brokerage expects India’s growth to slow over the next few quarters.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • There is nonexistent depth, disastrous allocation of resources and a roster so deficient that the general manager who constructed it has already been dismissed.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of deficient
Adjective
  • On Saturday in Orlando playing against a Central Florida team that was without its starting quarterback and three other starters, TCU was awful in a 21-13 loss in the Big 12 opener for both teams.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Nicky Lopez, Brett Phillips, Tim Hill and Mike Moustakas spent stints in an awful 2024 season that saw the White Sox set an MLB record with 121 losses.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of awful

Browse Nearby Words

unacceptability
unacceptable
unacceptably
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Cite this Entry

“Unacceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unacceptable. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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