unappetizing

adjective

ˌən-ˈa-pə-ˌtī-ziŋ How to pronounce unappetizing (audio)
Definition of unappetizingnext
as in unpalatable
disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste the array of unappetizing foods that we encountered at that cheap roadside restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 unappetizing Hook explains that for natural rind cheese, the impacts of plastic are just as unappetizing. — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 24 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 The administration has asked for an astonishing $200 billion to fund a war that the president also sporadically claims is over, giving legislators an unappetizing choice between funding a quagmire or else walking away and leaving a mess behind. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unappetizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unappetizing
  1. unpalatable
  2. distasteful
  3. horrible
  4. unsavory
  5. bad
  6. awful
  7. brackish
  8. bland
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
  • But the Chinese way will cause a proliferation of talent, usage, data—until something horrible happens.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Badgers have had horrible injury luck, which has led to bad QB play the past few years.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • One of his more unsavory comments came in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder, though.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
  • Continuing any unsavory conduct right under my nose is probably a form of calling my bluff at this point.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 19 July 2026
Definition of unsavory
Adjective
  • The period of military rule has fared worse than previous civilian governments, analysts say, with armed groups increasing their footprint across the country and the Sahel.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • At one point, King and backup center Nick Samac had a bad exchange on a shotgun snap.
    — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • So kudos to the extras who steal scenes from them in the background, flailing like avant-garde dancers when a vicious mental parasite leaps from grandmothers to joggers to security guards on a quest to find something awful.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • The experts and the betting odds expect futility on the field, something close to awful.
    — Greg Cote July 27, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • The Oyster Capital of Texas The brackish waters right off San Leon are the perfect mix of freshwater from local rivers and salty ocean tides, creating an environment where oysters can flourish.
    — Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 29 July 2026
  • While most people become sick with Vibrio vulnificus by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, people can also become exposed to it if open wounds come in contact with seawater or brackish water, according to the Department of Health.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2026
Definition of brackish
Adjective
  • This current trend is a direct result of the design industry’s desire to banish the bland, boring, and non-committal interior trends of yesteryear in favor of mosaics that feel anything but.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2026
  • Meanwhile taco seasoning, the aforementioned green chiles, and pimientos protect against the dish being bland.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 July 2026
Definition of bland

Browse Nearby Words

unappeased
unappetizing
unappreciated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unappetizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unappetizing. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unappetizing

Nglish: Translation of unappetizing for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All