unpleasing

adjective

ˌən-ˈplē-ziŋ How to pronounce unpleasing (audio)
Definition of unpleasingnext
1
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses an unpleasing combination of flavors in the dish

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ugly
unpleasant to look at an unpleasing combination of fuchsia and orange

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 unpleasing The identity of the unpleasing Lindsay Marriott’s slayer has no pressing interest. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch. — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026 Usually a team of elegant offense, Michigan instead clanked 13 triples off the rim and relied on its inside defensive ferocity to win a game nearly as aesthetically unpleasing as UConn’s 53-41 win over Butler in 2011. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026 Rosemary makes one of the best companion plants for apple trees because of its strong scent that's unpleasing to critters looking to snack on a juicy red apple. — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026 Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful. — Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 1 Oct. 2019 His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing. — SI.com, 1 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpleasing
  1. unpleasant
  2. ugly
  3. harsh
  4. hideous
  5. bad
  6. grotesque
Adjective
  • Cleanup Challenges Cleaning up after your home has been inundated with smoke from wildfires is unpleasant, difficult and potentially unhealthy.
    — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Now over time in retirement, daily life has become unpleasant.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • The animation is truly ugly, the characters moving at the framerate of a PowerPoint and looking less like the animals they’re supposed to be than weird hybrid troll creatures.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The wrong paint color, outdated furniture, and yes, even an ugly light fixture could be aging your home and (ugh) majorly cramping its style.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • It has been said that the Moon is a harsh mistress, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the lunar south pole.
    — Space.com Staff, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe, then, Bohm is a lesson for even the harshest skeptics.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Illiteracy, and its centuries-long ongoing epidemic, is hideous.
    — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 21 July 2026
  • The ace endured a rocky start punctuated by a hideous 11-run blowup in Minnesota and has now been sidelined with a shoulder injury since April 26.
    — Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
Definition of hideous
Adjective
  • Neighbors said the rotten-egg smell has gotten worse over the last couple of weeks, even trailing to apartments across the street.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For Panama, the result is a wet season that’s already been drier than usual and is likely to get worse.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • The bizarre and grotesque outcome is that the repressiveness of the state proves to be its own reward.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Midge's grotesque, defiant nature challenged societal norms, solidifying her as a pioneering and powerful figure in comics.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of grotesque

Browse Nearby Words

unpleased
unpleasing
unplug
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unpleasing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpleasing. Accessed 25 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 tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All