UNPLEASING Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

unpleasing

adjective

ˌən-ˈplē-ziŋ

Definition of unpleasing

as in unpleasant

not giving pleasure to the mind or senses an unpleasing combination of flavors in the dish

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Adjective

Self-interrogation, of course, is often unpleasant and is not a prescription that is likely to sell many books.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of unpleasant

Adjective

Not many filmmakers can create something where moments as ugly as Billy’s scatological lectures coexist so elegantly with moments of honest longing and tragedy (and, in one or two moments, tentative hope).

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
The hate being lobbed at Sheeran is also an unpleasant reminder of the extreme and ugly bullying tactics of the online left.

— Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

The video, and Ovechkin’s subsequent statements, have sparked harsh criticism in Europe, the United States and Canada, which is part of the NHL.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Beyond biological and nuclear threats, AI companies face harsh organizational incentives to develop AI even faster and — experts say — more recklessly.

— Jared Perlo, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Another reason to feel supreme confidence in this team’s juggernaut potential is that Chicago’s defense appears to be just as hideous as the fantasy community had hoped.

— Andy Behrens, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Three seconds later, I was surrounded by hideous monsters who were probably nice kids before the local NBC news devoted the feature story on their prime-time show Weekend to an in-depth study of English punk.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of hideous

Adjective

The term, once confined to technical science papers, has gripped Silicon Valley, steered trillions of dollars in investment and fanned fears of human displacement, or worse.

— George Musser, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
That’s cool that people (liked it), but that’s bad ball security.

— Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

Increasingly grotesque and comical horror-flick kills are one of the elements that distinguish Amazon’s Reacher series from the pair of Tom Cruise–starring features adapted from Lee Child’s novels previously.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
So grotesque that even the DP and the focus puller were disturbed.

— Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of grotesque

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unpleased

unpleasing

unplug

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“Unpleasing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpleasing. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unpleasing

adjective

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