UNAPPETIZING Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

unappetizing

adjective

ˌən-ˈa-pə-ˌtī-ziŋ

Definition of unappetizing

as in unpalatable

disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste the array of unappetizing foods that we encountered at that cheap roadside restaurant

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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 unappetizing Try adding lemon, cucumber, or mint to your water to encourage hydration if plain water in the morning feels boring or unappetizing. — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 19 June 2026 All those unappetizing items go in your brown yard waste cart, not the black trash cart or the blue recycle cart. — Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 28 May 2026 Even in the latter part of his career, at the weekly newspaper New York Observer, his writings lost none of their sting, and indeed often seemed like an unappetizing leftover from an era when sour personal swipes were more tolerated. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 May 2026 There had been reports last week that sailors were given unappetizing, meager rations. — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unappetizing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unappetizing

Adjective

Threading that needle could force Burnham to make politically unpalatable choices.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 July 2026
To be sure, raising the payroll tax might be politically unpalatable for lawmakers, who would almost certainly face pushback from businesses and employees, experts note.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 17 June 2026

Definition of unpalatable

Adjective

For some, evoking death and sacrifice was perplexing and distasteful; a step too far.

— Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026
South Florida beaches have been inundated by waves of sargassum in recent weeks — while visually distasteful to some, the seaweed is not usually harmful to humans, and occupies a critical niche in marine ecosystems.

— Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 16 June 2026

Definition of distasteful

Adjective

As horrible news stories go, few could compare with what happened on a Greek holiday island Monday.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ terrible, horrible, no good, very bad reelection campaign just got worse after Wednesday night’s debate in Sherman Oaks.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

Meanwhile in England, Queen Victoria fretted about receiving a gemstone obtained in such an unsavory way, and worried about the condition of Duleep.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
The truth is my friend has some very unsavory traits that make people want to tell him no.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsavory

Adjective

Neighbors said the rotten-egg smell has gotten worse over the last couple of weeks, even trailing to apartments across the street.

— Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
For Panama, the result is a wet season that’s already been drier than usual and is likely to get worse.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

But that team’s awful 2026 season meant any shock switch was a non-starter.

— Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Kavulich believes that at some point, the situation is going to turn so awful that either Cuban leaders will be forced to change, or the United States will intervene.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

Additionally, if someone has an open wound, the CDC recommends staying out of saltwater or brackish water.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
People contract Vibrio by eating raw or undercooked seafood — raw oysters are a common culprit — or by exposing open wounds to brackish or salt water.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of brackish

Adjective

Despite his top billing and his undeniable curmudgeon charisma, even Dern ends up underserved by a role that is eventually reduced to so much benign backdrop for a much blander hero’s journey.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
In terms of texture and flavor, these bite-size pancakes range from fluffy to pasty, sweet to bland, terrific to just barely edible.

— Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of bland

Browse Nearby Words

unappeased

unappetizing

unappreciated

See all Nearby Words

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“Unappetizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unappetizing. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unappetizing

adjective

Example Sentences

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