UNPROPITIOUS Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

unpropitious

adjective

Definition of unpropitious

as in unfavorable

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 unpropitious Handing the baton to Harris at this unpropitious time for Democrats is like Napoleon’s handing off his military command to Marshal Ney to conduct the disastrous French retreat from Moscow in 1812, featuring 500,000 French casualties. — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 2024 The exhausted refugees are greeted by a functionary of the Relief Committee with the unpropitious nickname Statistics Babu. — Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2022 JoyFish sits in a strip mall in an unpropitious space that has seen several restaurants come and go. — Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times, 11 July 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpropitious

Adjective

But using costly missiles against inexpensive drones can create an unfavorable exchange.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
Organizations explain poor results by pointing to staffing shortages, difficult patients, unfavorable markets, or imperfect measures.

— Basel Tarab, STAT, 22 July 2026

Definition of unfavorable

Adjective

The surprising discovery awaiting us below the thicket of its atmosphere has quashed the notion that worlds far from the Sun are unpromising destinations in the search for life-supporting environments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 May 2026
ADCs were once widely viewed as an unpromising technology, but Daiichi Sankyo’s success has revived interest and intensified competition across the industry.

— PwC Consulting LLC Contributor, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026

Definition of unpromising

Adjective

While the Braves have not officially shut the door on either player, the latest update paints a discouraging picture.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Tracy provided another discouraging injury update over the weekend in Anaheim as well, telling reporters that first baseman Triston Casas suffered yet another setback and has been shut down from hitting due to a wrist issue.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of discouraging

Adjective

Selina Wang, the lead author of the study, says the findings are particularly disheartening, as avocado oil products are often much more expensive than those made with olive or other vegetable oils.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 July 2026
That process repeats over and over and can be very disheartening to the team.

— Peter Nelson, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Definition of disheartening

Adjective

Echoing her sentiments, Shaharier remembered feeling hopeless when his baby boy was born so early.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Indeed, Russia’s mass barrages last winter of Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure – designed to keep Ukrainians cold, in the dark, and hopeless during the most frigid winter of recent years – are now being answered by Ukraine.

— Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026

Definition of hopeless

Adjective

The storm let up before daybreak, but the morning was gray and cheerless with a cold wind.

— Elwyn "Bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Gomez gestured across the street toward 100 Centre Street—the criminal courthouse, a cheerless Art Deco building the color of cinder blocks.

— Sarah Lustbader, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

Definition of cheerless

Adjective

Typically, manufacturing these diamond processors has been inefficient, with industry conversion yields hovering around a dismal one percent to 10 percent.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
The dismal winter snowpack that resulted in a disappointing ski season has now translated to statewide drought.

— Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of dismal

Adjective

In a gloomy prologue, casual conversations between Punjab police officers precipitate equally casual executions by moonlight, under the pretext of curbing terror.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 July 2026
Despite any accolades that may have come, the environment for an independent artist seemed gloomier than ever.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026

Definition of gloomy

Browse Nearby Words

unprompted

unpropitious

unprosperous

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unpropitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpropitious. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unpropitious

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

comely

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes