UNPLEASANTNESS Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

unpleasantness

noun

Definition of unpleasantness

as in repugnance

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 unpleasantness But mothers who’d hunted long for that title knew that this unpleasantness was welcome, embraced. — ‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 But Israelis have managed to endure even the latest unpleasantness with characteristic resilience. — Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026 Three months later, that unpleasantness has been largely forgotten due to Jennings’ production. — Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026 Moreover, even when placed in packing bags, shoes (and even swimwear) can lend less-than-ideal stench to your luggage, and bar soap can help stave off the unpleasantness, so that every outfit feels freshly washed. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unpleasantness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpleasantness

Noun

In this attitude was a strange commingling of repugnance and desire, alienation and belonging, intimacy and coldness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
In fact, the retort could lead people to dangerously belittle the scourge and repugnance of real anti-Semitism.

— Salam Fayyad, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2024

Definition of repugnance

Noun

The film also stars Orlando Bloom as the twins' ex-lover, Gareth Mulroney, and Domhnall Gleeson as Timothy, a social worker who attempts to help the twins adjust to modern life after a brush with infamy.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026
But any industry with that much history is bound to have some infamy in its rearview.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of infamy

Noun

But Hokit’s offensiveness in the shadow of the president’s home — with the Washington Monument visible to the south — was one indication that anything and everything was inbounds.

— Oskar Garcia, New York Times, 15 June 2026
During this period, Dhillon moved away from the Review’s gleeful offensiveness toward positions suggesting a more moderate conservatism.

— Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026

Definition of offensiveness

Noun

The undesirability of the undead state is inherent in the term itself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
There are hyper-local gags about the Williamsburg bar Union Pool and the undesirability of living in the Financial District, and a creature known as Rat Pizza — like Pizza Rat in reverse.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of undesirability

Noun

Sustainable credentials are also on point, with PFAS-free water repellency, ethically sourced suede uppers, and an outsole made from post-consumer plastic and agricultural waste.

— Chris Haslam, Wired News, 24 May 2026
Ridestore subjects materials to failure testing during both development and production, evaluating bond strength in laminated membranes, water-repellency performance and trim durability before materials move into manufacturing.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 May 2026

Definition of repellency

Noun

Yes, the atrocities occurred before social media took hold, before video streaming, before camera phones became commonplace.

— David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
Jayhawkers were considered thieves, marauders & guerrillas (hence why yours were in jail) know for atrocities such as the Sacking of Osceola.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of atrocity

Browse Nearby Words

unpleasantly

unpleasantness

unpleased

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unpleasantness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpleasantness. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unpleasantness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

facsimile

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes