UNACCEPTABLE Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

unacceptable

adjective

ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl

Definition of unacceptable

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 Ontario Premier Doug Ford said threats from the United States were unacceptable and shortsighted. — Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026 That control gives the business confidence to use AI in financial, operational and customer-facing processes without creating unacceptable exposure. — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Chiu told Wired that allowing any such apps to remain in app stores is unacceptable. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026 Google has pushed back against both of these measures, arguing the requirements pose an unacceptable risk to user privacy and security, as well as compromise its products. — Robert Hart, The Verge, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unacceptable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unacceptable

Adjective

First, the medals were the wrong colour; this was the ‘Bronze Final’ after all.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
That turned out to be wrong for a meaningful minority of them, whose brains were generating signals our methods were not sensitive enough to pick up.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

Madrid had a poor 2024-25, failing to win the Spanish title or the Champions League, but Mbappe still scored 42 goals in 44 appearances.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Using Neanderthal cranium shapes to estimate specific brain regions’ volume, some investigators claimed to see signs of a mind with feeble linguistic abilities, poor executive function and an unremarkable memory.

— Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 20 July 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

The situation is particularly bad in France, which has already recorded more than 300 wildfires this year, compared to an annual average of 93, according to the EFFIS.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Anderson’s injury record is slightly worse by virtue of a stress fracture in his back that kept him out for four months in the middle of the 2023-24 season, but over the two subsequent campaigns both have been near-constantly available.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

The Supreme Judicial Court later concluded that the Attorney General’s summary was legally deficient because of the language her office inserted — and removed the question from the ballot.

— Robert Cordy, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026
The same logic would apply to a service member who is truly hormone deficient — replacement therapy could help.

— Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of deficient

Adjective

Torres – one of Barcelona’s key men up front – had been having an awful tournament, missing a plethora of chances throughout Spain’s campaign and being benched after starting against Cape Verde.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
In a clearing in the forest, his younger selves sit at a long table with the abbott, who is wearing the final boss of season three’s awful wigs.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026

Definition of awful

Browse Nearby Words

unacceptability

unacceptable

unacceptably

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“Unacceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unacceptable. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unacceptable

adjective

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