as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsatisfactory
Hence, utilitarianism is unsatisfactory as a theory of justice, and another theory must be sought.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026
Arguments put forward by both sides about the driver’s license and birth certificate provisions of the law were similarly unsatisfactory to the judge.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
In the third quarter of 2025, some hospitals, such as HCA Florida Kendall and South Miami, received Cs and Ds for taking more than three days to transport the specimen, and others, such as West Boca Medical Center, received Cs for unsatisfactory specimen collection.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
The results, although sometimes unsatisfactory, at least represent the will of the majority of voters.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026
Arguments put forward by both sides about the driver’s license and birth certificate provisions of the law were similarly unsatisfactory to the judge.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
In the third quarter of 2025, some hospitals, such as HCA Florida Kendall and South Miami, received Cs and Ds for taking more than three days to transport the specimen, and others, such as West Boca Medical Center, received Cs for unsatisfactory specimen collection.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
The results, although sometimes unsatisfactory, at least represent the will of the majority of voters.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
-
Killing dogs in the street became increasingly unacceptable, and rabies vaccines became available.—
Rachel Sugar,
Curbed,
8 Apr. 2026
-
To Hafley, that’s unacceptable.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Arsenal were pretty poor but won, Sporting were pretty good but lost.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Ackman blamed its poor share price performance partly on the delay of UMG’s listing in the United States.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Now 43-38, Charlotte has lost ground this week with difficult losses to Boston and Detroit that followed the same blueprint, as the Hornets fell off a cliff in the fourth quarter at the wrong time.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Apr. 2026
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Overfertilizing Fertilizing too much or at the wrong time could potentially damage plant roots, leading to leaf damage and eventual drop.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But large-scale remedies, such as finding alternative sources of revenue like a general tax increase to offset property tax cuts, are less likely when lawmakers and Pritzker are seeking reelection — though political pressures are lessened after the November general election in a lame-duck session.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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This struck me as heartbreakingly lame and, therefore, as a moment of vital consequence.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Kawhi Leonard sat out for the Clippers to rest ankle and wrist injuries, while Draymond Green was out for the Warriors with a bad back.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Was Paul’s effect on history, incalculably large, good or bad on the whole?—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But with these recent iterations of the Heat, that overriding faith has proved damaging, creating a deficient team (Miami’s 23-32 against top-10 seeds) and diminished trade assets and leaving the franchise stuck in a play-in abyss with no clear escape route.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.—
Imtiaz Rangwala,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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