uninviting

adjective

Definition of uninvitingnext
as in unpleasant

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 uninviting If your home feels cold, stark, or uninviting, then the problem might not be your furniture or paint colors. — Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026 This was one of the city's most impenetrable buildings, surrounded by armed guards, made to look uninviting and unappealing. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Dust, pollen, mildew and months of neglect can leave chairs, tables and cushions looking tired and uninviting. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026 According to the pros, people most often regret choosing a bright and basic shade or playing it safe with a hue that reads cold and uninviting rather than crisp and clean. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uninviting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uninviting
  1. unpleasant
  2. inhospitable
Adjective
  • This was because Lawrence made a point to make the experience as unpleasant as possible for her costar.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The reduction in intake was not caused by making the food unpleasant.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • In the mid-19th century, a family of Dutch-Afrikaans homesteaders sets out to cross the inhospitable terrain of the Kalahari Desert along with their backer, a boorish Brit whose avarice and bigotry loom large over the journey.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • That said, in some years Apple has introduced a neat extra which may be useful if this time means an inhospitable hour.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of inhospitable

Browse Nearby Words

uninvited
uninviting
uninvolved
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uninviting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uninviting. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

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

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
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