as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment issued a notice of violation to Cedar Run over unsatisfactory living conditions last year.
—
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Denver Post, 1 May 2025
Some observers pointed to City’s minimal spending last summer as evidence the club knew the looming judgement in that Premier League court case was headed toward an unsatisfactory end.
—Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
If the response is unsatisfactory, the district could use information in the audit to refuse the two schools renewal.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025
Democrats found the responses from Trump officials unsatisfactory.
—Nik Popli, Time, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Denver Post, 1 May 2025
Some observers pointed to City’s minimal spending last summer as evidence the club knew the looming judgement in that Premier League court case was headed toward an unsatisfactory end.
—Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
If the response is unsatisfactory, the district could use information in the audit to refuse the two schools renewal.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025
Democrats found the responses from Trump officials unsatisfactory.
—Nik Popli, Time, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
-
And sometimes the soldiers can do things which are totally unacceptable and can be called crimes.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
-
Shamkhani underscored that the absence of sanctions relief rendered the U.S. plan unacceptable.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Orlik, who was seventy-seven, was in poor health and desperate to get his pictures back.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
17 June 2025
-
Despite being poor, India’s democracy thrived as its leaders managed the country’s political fortunes through open competition.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
And then what happens when taxpayers are given the wrong answer?—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Those looking for salacious and headline-grabbing score-settling, however, have come to entirely the wrong place.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
-
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
-
Trump has lauded Israel's strikes and previously warned of much worse to come unless Iran quickly accepts the sharp downgrading of its nuclear program the U.S. has demanded in talks that had been due to resume on June 15.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
-
That backlash was so bad that Raven stepped in to defend her wife.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Night trains generally were also found to be deficient in bicycle storage space.—
Tanya Mohn,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
This Sun team is simply deficient on both ends of the floor and ranks last in points, rebounds and assists per game.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share