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
  • There was a lot of work on the medical cases to make the investigations complex and realistic, but there was also an entry point built around a strong, funny, unpleasant character, completely at odds with her return to her roots.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Are those seats empty for a neutral reason or an unpleasant reason?
    — Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • But the core four aren’t the only transplants from Woodsboro, as Ghostface soon rears its ugly head, directly targeting them and whomever else is caught up in their orbit.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Especially if ugly seasons like last year pile up and the problem continues to snowball.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon, as well as harsh chemicals and abrasive tools, to protect the glaze.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The frustration within the Democratic caucus immediately prompted some calls for harsh consequences.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • These flashbacks betray where writer-director-cinematographer-editor Tsukamoto’s filmmaking interests really lie, which is in the gruesome recreation of hideous acts of barbarism and cruelty.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • At this point in the operation, even formerly adorable homes begin to look hideous.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hideous
Adjective
  • Jeffrey Katzenberg, then a studio executive at Paramount Pictures, hand-picked the Happy Days star for the job, but at the time, Winkler had a bad feeling about accepting it.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • How many of us make things worse More seasoned Internet users—a fair number who read this site—are quick to dismiss the attack.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • So grotesque that even the DP and the focus puller were disturbed.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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 12 Sep. 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 hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

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

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All