as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsatisfactory
Conventional assumptions held that Israel will refrain from any action until those negotiations either failed altogether or concluded in unsatisfactory fashion—and that, if a deal with the Islamic Republic was struck, no Israeli military action would be forthcoming at all.
—
Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
If the answers to these questions are unsatisfactory, your readiness is in question.
—Vivek Ahuja, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
The Federal Government Is Doing Less Post George Floyd
Despite this unsatisfactory state of affairs, the federal government is doing less to address these challenges.
—Gena Cox, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
In addition to creating unsatisfactory weather, NWS meteorologists warned that the winds would cause hazardous seas and urged boaters to take caution.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
If the answers to these questions are unsatisfactory, your readiness is in question.
—Vivek Ahuja, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
The Federal Government Is Doing Less Post George Floyd
Despite this unsatisfactory state of affairs, the federal government is doing less to address these challenges.
—Gena Cox, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
In addition to creating unsatisfactory weather, NWS meteorologists warned that the winds would cause hazardous seas and urged boaters to take caution.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, an unacceptable state of affairs persists.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
-
Sending everything to centralized clouds for processing often introduces unacceptable lag, measured in lost opportunities, safety risks or operational disruptions.—
Sven Oehme,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
The key drivers are BGE’s soaring spending and profits and poor management by PJM Interconnection, the private entity that operates our electric grid.—
Emily Scarr,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2025
-
Despite having a poor 2024 season that saw the Pirates remove Bednar from the closer role, the right-hander is back to his dominant form.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
One of the company’s big assumptions about the phone had turned out to be wrong.—
Verne Kopytoff,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
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However, according to the Baseball Rules Academy, the umpires got the call wrong.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
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But others are, at best, psychological signposts and, at worst, internet inside-jokes.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
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Overall, the recent western drought was at its worst in late 2021, when nearly 94% of the West was in drought, before easing in 2023-24.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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The report alleges a range of major violations plaguing St. Hope Public Schools — including conflicts of interests among its top officers, improper use of public funding, deficient accounting processes and the employment of a largely unqualified teaching staff.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
21 May 2025
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If a person is not deficient in iron, too much iron can cause significant problems.5 3.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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