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
-
Clearly, those are unacceptable results.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Trump, back in Washington, told the New York Post that even the deal Vance brought was unacceptable.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These closures reflect various factors, including poor investment returns, a lack of government support for refinery upgrades and higher carbon and energy costs.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
-
After McCandless and her council colleagues approved the sweeping tax breaks, King consistently spoke on how its planning process exemplified poor communication from the city, saying that current leaders should have advocated for a better deal for Independence.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 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
-
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
-
Unlike most lame-duck governors, California’s Gavin Newsom seems ascendant.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
-
There wasn’t much the voters could do with a menu so lame.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The combination of a shaky bullpen and even worse infield defense harmed the Twins multiple times during the team’s current four-game losing streak.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
To be unreasonable is to be a bad survivalist.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Clover naturally fixes nitrogen-deficient soil and improves soil fertility, which helps nearby plants.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
-
If muscles remain depleted and incompletely repaired, each practice starts with a deficient muscular system.—
William Jones,
Ascend Agency,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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