unsuitable

adjective

ˌən-ˈsü-tə-bəl How to pronounce unsuitable (audio)
Definition of unsuitablenext
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation all the movies playing now are violent or otherwise unsuitable for a child's birthday party

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 unsuitable In 2023 the agency documented signs of stress in sloths during public encounters, improper handling of a juvenile kangaroo and environmental conditions deemed unsuitable for a sloth’s care. — Katie Surma, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2026 The trend was further compounded in koalas with chlamydiosis -- a common bacterial disease among the species -- and those found in unsuitable conditions, Mella said. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 May 2026 Musk attempted to color Altman as a uniquely unsuitable supervisor of this technology, but this invariably invited further scrutiny into his own abject unfitness for the role. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026 When obtaining arborist wood chips, inquire about the type of trees in the batch to avoid unsuitable ones. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsuitable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuitable
  1. inappropriate
  2. improper
  3. wrong
  4. incorrect
  5. unfit
  6. unhappy
Adjective
  • But does that in itself tell us that Bellingham’s comments were somehow wrong or inappropriate?
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • The archdiocese also continues to investigate former Bishop Miege President Phil Baniewicz, who was ousted last August after allegations surfaced about inappropriate behavior with a minor.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • People who participated—most of whom asked for anonymity, fearing reprisals—rejected the suggestion that there was anything improper about the practice.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 14 July 2026
  • The federal government removed some improper enrollments, but the price increase appears to have played a major role.
    — Aparna Soni, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • Under rules brought in for the World Cup, the reviewable decisions and incidents now include mistaken identity when the referee shows a yellow or red card but clearly penalises the wrong player of either team.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Even when Romanzy goes off on how stupid and ugly Caleb is — and gossips that his parents abandoned him because something must be wrong with him — Mary goes along with it.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Inspectors also noticed that cold foods were being held at incorrect temperatures, according to the report.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • In the suit, they are referred to as a guidance counselor and principal, which the school district’s attorneys claim is incorrect.
    — Austin Horn July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • If venue personnel deem any person to be a threat, or otherwise unfit, in their sole discretion, he or she will not be permitted access and shall forfeit the prize.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
  • She was deemed unfit to stand trial on medical grounds.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 June 2026
Definition of unfit
Adjective
  • Last year, researchers at Harvard University and Baylor University discovered that, on average, young adults aged between 18 to 29 are deeply unhappy.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 July 2026
  • Licensed cannabis operators in states that have legalized marijuana tend to support the ban—they’re unhappy that hemp intoxicants face far less regulation and taxation than their products.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of unhappy

Browse Nearby Words

unsuitability
unsuitable
unsuitably
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsuitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsuitable. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unsuitable

Nglish: Translation of unsuitable for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bibelot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All