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unsatisfactory

adjective

ˌən-ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce unsatisfactory (audio)
Definition of unsatisfactorynext
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 That will be an understandably unsatisfactory answer for many fans, but there are still too many questions the coaches can’t answer. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Ships must score 86 or above to pass inspection — while a score of 85 or below is considered unsatisfactory, the CDC noted. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The redhead, Betty Mayfield, is the most unsatisfactory aspect of the book. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 That lack of clarity has led public-health officials to offer somewhat unsatisfactory advice on how to keep yourself safe. — Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
  1. unacceptable
  2. poor
  3. wrong
  4. lame
  5. bad
  6. deficient
Adjective
  • The group Save Our Beaches San Clemente, however, says adding more rocks on the coast to protect the railroad is unacceptable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Russia's demands for Ukraine to surrender its territory, among other things, are unacceptable for Kyiv.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • Because of the drought, woodland deer food is not abundant in most of the state this year, and what exists is in poor condition with low nutritional value.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The Maracana's turf has been a concern for almost two weeks due to its poor shape amid a long season in Brazilian soccer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • Pagan remains wrong, sophisticated argumentation notwithstanding.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The tech leaders warned about the risk of humans losing control of AI systems and of the systems getting into the wrong hands.
    — Jack Moore, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Supporters hope for a vote during the post-election lame-duck session, potentially as part of a year-end package.
    — Shira Lazar, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Even as Swift shines in the light of holy matrimony, there are still plenty of lame dudes out there for Taylor to crush across three-minute pop masterstrokes — and, God-willing, there always will be.
    — Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • This problem will only get worse, with new cancer cases projected to increase 67% by 2050.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • High base, cuts to public capex for meeting fiscal deficit targets and the impact of deficient rains on sowing patterns are some of the key reasons the brokerage expects India’s growth to slow over the next few quarters.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • There is nonexistent depth, disastrous allocation of resources and a roster so deficient that the general manager who constructed it has already been dismissed.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of deficient

Browse Nearby Words

unsatisfactoriness
unsatisfactory
unsatisfied
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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