unfavorable

adjective

un·​fa·​vor·​able ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce unfavorable (audio)
-ˈfā-vər-bəl
Synonyms of unfavorablenext
1
a
: opposed, contrary
b
: expressing disapproval : negative
unfavorable reviews
2
: not propitious : disadvantageous
an unfavorable business climate
3
: not pleasing
an unfavorable feature of the plan
unfavorableness noun
unfavorably
ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-blē How to pronounce unfavorable (audio)
-ˈfā-vər-bəl
adverb

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of unfavorable in a Sentence

She formed an unfavorable impression of him. the company chose to accept the unfavorable settlement rather than spend more money on legal fees
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In her home state, about 4 in 10 New York voters in the November election viewed her favorably while about the same share had an unfavorable opinion, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of the 2024 electorate. — Jonathan J. Cooper and Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025 This combination of company-specific issues and unfavorable market sentiment has driven CRWD stock down approximately 20% from its February peak, returning to around $360 per share. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 The plan commission forwards a recommendation either favorable or unfavorable to the Porter County Board of Commissioners who would then have two readings, the first at a public hearing, while the second does not require a public hearing. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 In a rare public statement, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said federal judges should not be impeached for unfavorable decisions. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfavorable

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfavorable was in 1548

Phrases Containing unfavorable

Rhymes for unfavorable

See All Rhymes for unfavorable

Browse Nearby Words

unfaulty
unfavorable
unfavorite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfavorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfavorable. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

unfavorable

adjective
un·​fa·​vor·​able ˌən-ˈfāv-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce unfavorable (audio)
1
: expressing disapproval
unfavorable comments
2
: likely to make difficult or unpleasant
unfavorable weather for a camping trip
unfavorably
-blē How to pronounce unfavorable (audio)
adverb

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