unwanted

adjective

Definition of unwantednext
as in undesirable
not wanted or needed unwanted attention an unwanted suitor

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 unwanted No member of the brand’s current lineup blocks out unwanted noise better than the second iteration of the flagship QuietComfort Ultra. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026 Map these touchpoints and evaluate whether your presence adds genuine value or creates unwanted interruption. — Jacquelyn Lamar Berney, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Even small amounts of water entering this compartment can interfere with the lithium chemistry and form an unwanted solid-electrolyte interphase that eventually hurts the reaction. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026 Garlin was accused by members of the cast and crew of inappropriate verbal conduct, unwanted physical contact, including hugging and touching, and behavior that some employees described as creating an uncomfortable work environment. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwanted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwanted
  1. undesirable
  2. offensive
  3. obscene
  4. unpleasant
Adjective
  • Other Problems Coffee Grounds May Cause Besides causing nutrient issues, coffee grounds can create conditions that make life harder for your orchids while attracting undesirable guests.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026
  • However, even though each individual layer relies on a smooth forcing function, combining them together can cause the forcing function to have undesirable mathematical properties.
    — Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of undesirable
Adjective
  • That expands the number of platforms capable of employing the system during defensive or offensive operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The offensive line sort of got decimated, and now the cornerbacks have gotten decimated.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of offensive
Adjective
  • The public must contend head-on with a collapsing currency and runaway inflation, and to ordinary Iranians, describing the present situation as sustainable would sound almost obscene.
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Current Florida law says a school district can review and remove a book after a complaint has been made that a book is pornographic, obscene or isn’t age appropriate.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • As unpleasant as his job might be at the moment, Harbaugh is ostensibly safe.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Depriving the plant of light discourages the development of chlorophyll—the green plant pigment responsible for color—and rids the chicory of an unpleasant flavor.
    — Tamar Adler, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpleasant

Browse Nearby Words

unvoiced
unwanted
unwariness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unwanted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwanted. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of etiquette

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All