unpopular

American

[uhn-pop-yuh-ler] / ʌnˈpɒp yə lər /

adjective

not popular; disliked or ignored by the public or by persons generally.
in disfavor with a particular person or group of persons.

unpopular British

/ ˌʌnpɒpjʊˈlærɪtɪ, ʌnˈpɒpjʊlə /

adjective

not popular with an individual or group of people

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

unpopularity noun
unpopularly adverb

Etymology

Origin of unpopular

First recorded in 1640–50; un- ¹ + popular

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He's from a non-political background and seems prepared to take on all-comers no matter how unpopular that might make him with the party's old guard.

From BBC

Today, leaders have learnt that austerity isn’t just unpopular but has also led to weak militaries and crumbling infrastructure.

From The Wall Street Journal

Universities must double down on supporting faculty who provide structured opportunities for disagreement on complex issues and provide clear protections for faculty, staff and students who voice unpopular views.

From The Wall Street Journal

Defenders of the initiative reply that billionaires are few and politically unpopular.

From The Wall Street Journal

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will dissolve parliament on Friday ahead of a snap election on February 8, counting on her cabinet's high poll numbers to steer her otherwise unpopular ruling party to victory.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023