unappealing
Britishadjective
Explanation
Something that's unappealing isn't inviting or interesting to you, like an unappealing bowl of cold brussels sprouts. Yuck. If you've got to decide between cleaning the bathroom and taking out the trash, you could call those two unappealing choices. And if your family plans to vacation at a working farm instead of Disney World, that may also sound unappealing. Anything unappealing doesn't please you or catch your interest. This word is formed by adding the prefix un- ("not") to appealing, which can be traced back to a Latin root meaning "to summon."
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.
As a result little stands between you and the actors, appealing or unappealing according to their characters.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026
Resembling something between a reinforced bus stop and a public toilet, some of these mini-bunkers appear to be in an unappealing condition inside.
From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026
“Truck driving is an unappealing profession for many Americans but it remains an attractive opportunity for recent immigrants to this country,” said Greg Reed, a transportation attorney with expertise in regulatory and legislative issues.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026
Treasurys , in fact most global government bond markets, unappealing.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026
Bailey and I sloshed down twilight trails to the pig pens, and standing on the first fence rungs we poured down the unappealing concoctions to our grateful hogs.
From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
