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 Vague prompts deliver unsatisfactory results, and a new user is unlikely to understand the nuance of these commands, creating frustration. — Hunter Steele, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Bothwell said the city has thrown up another roadblock in case the PB planners get an unsatisfactory ruling. — Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025 Almost two months after the wedding, the signs were suddenly unsatisfactory. — Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025 During this year, an agency can fire a probationary employee for unsatisfactory performance by putting in writing the reason for firing. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2025 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
  • But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But for a lot of people following Markle's every move anything other than perfection is unacceptable.
    — Alanna Bennett, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • But there is another concerning trend and area that has to be improved — their poor record on second balls.
    — Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Without a clear profit strategy, high sales numbers can mask underlying issues like bloated expenses, poor cash flow, or razor-thin margins.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • The question of the night is the choice between selling out their souls to the vapid American tourists at the Tropicana nightclub (bad) or singing for their own people on the wrong side of the tracks (good).
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • But, more importantly, who cares if the details are wrong?
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    — Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    — Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • Netflix has now officially been in operation for over a quarter of a century and in that time have largely upended the traditional business models around film and television, for better and worse.
    — Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The most common reason a cruise ship skips a port is bad weather.
    — David Nikel, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • Kraken was also accused of having deficient internal controls and record keeping.
    — Jonathan Stempel, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Those studies show that supplementing with vitamin A in people who are deficient can lead to milder infections with diseases like measles.
    — Alice Park, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
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 27 Mar. 2025.

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