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 Even then, the results are often unsatisfactory for your (once) vibrant white shirts. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025 The county faces at least 19 lawsuits claiming that conditions are unsatisfactory and that medical and mental health care are inadequate in the jails. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 Add the mobile Maiava to the mix and USC might just have a recipe for gaining ground on last season’s unsatisfactory seven-win season. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025 Clubs can check one of five boxes that range from unsatisfactory performance to personal conduct that adversely affects the club. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
  • Denying people the essentials necessary for their survival, to obtain compliance or a political agreement, should be unacceptable.
    Anna Halford, Time, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Controversy arose earlier this year after residents, a council member and the mayor declared a cooling station set up for homeless residents and others without adequate heating and cooling as unacceptable.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s another element of the current concern regarding due process that relates to the fate of poor Cinna.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
  • McDaniel’s debut album Lost Ones delves into his own story of growing up in a poor community in Kentucky, and dealing with mental health struggles, both personally and within his family — as well as McDaniel’s story of being saved during a past suicide attempt years ago.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Human nature, however, urges us to do the exact wrong thing.
    Steve Booren, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
  • There's a quote from The Office that's always stuck with me for all the wrong reasons.
    Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Cut to Culhane doing lame bits with chopsticks as walrus teeth.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Add in coach Steve Kerr willingly working on a lame-duck contract, and the Warriors could be looking for a new path forward within the year of saying hello to Butler, meaning that smell around Chase Center is one of desperation.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • So sorry, fantasy coaches and anybody that bet on me, my bad.
    Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Joseph had maybe his worst day of the year.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the meantime, Jones has been carrying a run-deficient offense to the tune of 313 yards per game — the most in the NFL.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • At least 1,235 miles of the city’s sidewalks, or about 40%, are considered deficient.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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