unhealthy

adjective

ˌən-ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
Definition of unhealthynext
1
as in poisonous
bad for the well-being of the body we knew that the junk food at the carnival was unhealthy, but it tasted so good!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury criticism of the military dictatorship has proved to be unhealthy for several of that nation's journalists

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body she's been unhealthy for almost a week now

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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 unhealthy Those in states with extreme air quality warnings are being cautioned to limit outdoor activity and, in states with very unhealthy and hazardous warnings, to stay inside altogether with windows closed. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 AccuWeather predicted that the unhealthy levels in Toledo, as well as in Milwaukee and Detroit, may persist throughout the weekend into Monday. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 July 2026 As wildfires burn millions of acres across Canada, smoke has descended upon cities across the United States, with air quality plummeting to unhealthy levels. — Rebecca Florsheim, STAT, 17 July 2026 Scores of 100 or more (out of 500) mean the air is unhealthy and could harm people’s health. — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unhealthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhealthy
  1. poisonous
  2. dangerous
  3. sick
  4. toxic
  5. hazardous
  6. bad
  7. unhealthful
  8. risky
Adjective
  • Lydia Kiesling’s Mobility attempts something at once more traditional and more ambitious, exploring how a young woman tries to disentangle herself from the oil industry’s poisonous tendrils.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • Wildfire smoke contains noxious or poisonous gases and particulate matter, tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, affecting people with respiratory problems, says the Environmental Protection Agency.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of poisonous
Adjective
  • When atmospheric weather conditions in May drove dangerous pollution levels in Texas, environmental officials urged residents to limit driving and in particular to avoid drive-through lines.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • An unchecked ego further erodes psychological safety, as dismissing feedback signals that team contributions are unwelcome, creating dangerous blind spots.
    — Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • Our founder has spent his career advocating for a shift from sick care to true health creation.
    — Billee Howard, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Officials recommended wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, staying current on vaccinations, testing for the virus and remaining home when sick.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • As toxic levels of gas have been detected, teams wearing oxygen gear raced to find survivors on Tuesday, the outlet reported.
    — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • Research shows toxic culture is the leading cause of attrition, far surpassing compensation.
    — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of toxic
Adjective
  • As silane and germane are hazardous gases, the researchers also built automated control systems that continuously monitor hundreds of operating conditions, helping maintain both safety and exceptionally high chemical purity throughout production.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026
  • Campers spent the day indoors to avoid hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 26 July 2026
Definition of hazardous
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
  • Warnings of unhealthful air quality remained in effect Saturday across a wide swath of the United States due to smoke from Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze for days.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026
  • The soil may contain pathogens, pesticides and other unhealthful things.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of unhealthful
Adjective
  • In the Himalayan region, fragile mountains, seismic activity and unpredictable underground conditions make tunnel projects especially risky.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • The new joint venture draws a line between Doronin’s two companies and moves the heavy, risky capital requirements of real estate development into a separate vehicle.
    — Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of risky

Browse Nearby Words

unhealthiness
unhealthy
unheard-of
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Cite this Entry

“Unhealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhealthy. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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