Definition of unsatisfactorynext
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse

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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 unsatisfactory Its cleaning efforts were similarly unsatisfactory, often resulting in collisions. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025 Because when the status quo in sub-Saharan Africa is so unsatisfactory—with substandard education, healthcare, security, and so on—these tend to be the focus of domestic resources. Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 While some users report strong performance on Trustpilot, others cite installation delays, outages or unsatisfactory support. Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025 Venture capital scored the lowest net sentiment, with 33% of respondents reporting unsatisfactory returns. Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
  • The behavior's unacceptable, and so this is our way to try to end it or stop it, at least here in Manteca.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • That is completely unacceptable.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Policymakers globally are increasingly worried that the unequal adoption of AI risks widening income and development gaps between rich and poor countries.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • In November, Jesse Jackon was hospitalized again after suffering a fall while protesting poor campus living conditions with students at Howard University.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The pursuit ended after Nipp turned off his headlights and drove into the wrong lane in an attempt to lose the officers.
    Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 21 Feb. 2026
  • What’s wrong with being uncomfortable and plowing through demanding texts that challenge us to think about bygone times, far-off places and painful emotions, poignantly expressed?
    Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Saying the house is like a character too sounds a bit lame.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • That huge war chest would be especially remarkable amassed by a lame-duck president.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The dragon is said to scare away bad spirits and bring good luck.
    Staff report, Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Weapon system autonomously detects and classifies moving targets The company revealed that the weapon system autonomously detects and classifies moving targets in poor visibility situations caused by darkness, bad weather, smoke or dust kicked up by helicopters.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Rain Precipitation might be Wuthering Heights the novel’s most canonical liquid as Northern England is a place where basically every single person and living creature is vitamin D deficient.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
  • And perhaps most important, by empowering Congress, not the president, to remedy deficient state electoral schemes, the Constitution prevents presidents from rewriting the election code by executive fiat and thus provides an additional safeguard against military dictatorship.
    Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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