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
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
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
Adjective
-
Yet insects may also be attracted to scents unpleasant to us as several notable plant species instruct.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
And a condition in which people experience unpleasant skin sensations such as burning, stabbing or a feeling like an electrical shock occurred in about 23% of those taking the higher dose of Wegovy versus 6% of those taking the lower dose and less than 1% in people who received a placebo.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This game started ugly, but the Jayhawks built a 38-18 halftime lead on the back of their defense.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Pushing too much hostility between team members or pushing Anthony too hard to be the peacekeeper could easily create an ugly atmosphere that spoils the vibe.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Suddenly the whole thing seemed like a hideous dream.—
Elwyn "Bud" Myers,
Outdoor Life,
11 Mar. 2026
-
One of most hideous images in American poetry, and yet one of the most memorable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What's worse are diesel prices.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The family had made the three-day journey west based on reports that autism services in Colorado would be better, but in the upheaval of a move, Ethan had gotten worse and thrown his father into a wall.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Pairing their Tiny Desk set with four new songs, the album was accompanied by a short film that turned them into grotesque cartoons of themselves, alternating between looksmaxxing and airbrushed, doll-like looks reminiscent of the Backstreet Boys’ turn-of-the-millennium aesthetic.—
Maria Nenet Barrios,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Via Mormino Penna is one of Sicily’s most theatrical streetscapes, lined with facades adorned with apotropaic masks, grotesque faces meant to ward off evil.—
Jenn Rice,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unpleasing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpleasing. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
