as in unpleasant
bad, harmful, or unpleasant
The drug has some undesirable side effects. This decision may have undesirable consequences.
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Recent Examples of undesirable
Elimination from the Champions League, though undesirable, may actually have a positive knock-on effect, providing free midweeks for the remainder of the season.
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
More than 50 percent of cat owners report undesirable scratching.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
In Paladino’s case, the rationale is distaste for density and perceived undesirable new tenants.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
For example, putting lots more residents on the outskirts of urban cores can result in more clogged freeways and undesirable commuting times.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undesirable
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
More than 50 percent of cat owners report undesirable scratching.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
In Paladino’s case, the rationale is distaste for density and perceived undesirable new tenants.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
For example, putting lots more residents on the outskirts of urban cores can result in more clogged freeways and undesirable commuting times.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undesirable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undesirable
Adjective
-
Along the way there are medical emergencies, a drug trip, a private jet to a private Hot Chip concert somewhere mountainous and snowy, some unpleasant business with a dog, heartfelt conversations and existential crises.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The spandex-blend material is ultra-stretchy, and there’s no unpleasant digging or pinching courtesy of the zipper- and button-free design.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Several men in my life– and then this doctor — had put unwanted things inside me.—
Sarah Hoover,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Every few minutes, the quiet of a muggy spring evening in the Park Glen neighborhood in far north Fort Worth was broken by the clanging of pots, pans, air horns, and other noisemakers as residents looked skyward at unwanted guests.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On that horrible day, Dad was outside his vehicle supervising a ditch cleaning operation when a driver ignored traffic control devices, drove through a closed lane, and struck him, pinning him between two vehicles.—
Allysson Bornt,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
And every family has that annoying uncle that makes horrible jokes or one situation after another.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This was the old Magic — the nasty, physical, suffocating defensive team that made every possession feel like work.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Apr. 2026
-
From there, the beef between the two couples runs the gamut from faux-gentile to downright nasty.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undesirable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undesirable. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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