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Synonyms

inadvisable

American  
[in-uhd-vahy-zuh-buhl] / ˌɪn ədˈvaɪ zə bəl /

adjective

  1. not advisable; inexpedient; unwise.

    Synonyms:
    risky, impolitic, imprudent
    Antonyms:
    expedient, prudent, advisable

inadvisable British  
/ ˌɪnədˈvaɪzəbəl /

adjective

  1. not advisable; not recommended

  2. unwise; imprudent

"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

Etymology

Origin of inadvisable

First recorded in 1865–70; in- 3 + advisable

Explanation

Something that's inadvisable is a pretty bad idea. It would be inadvisable to drive around town with your friend riding on the hood of your car. Things that are unwise or foolish can be described as inadvisable. It's inadvisable to dress your cat in doll clothes, or to jump off the roof of your shed into a pile of leaves. In both cases, the possibility of getting hurt outweighs the entertainment value. If you wouldn't advise a friend to do something, it's inadvisable.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing inadvisable

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.

See Examples For:

"A comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency, resuming hostilities is even more inadvisable and maintaining negotiations is particularly important," he said.

From Barron's May 20, 2026

But the idea that any hot dog consumption is inadvisable isn’t supported by strong evidence.

From Slate Aug. 2, 2025

He will have the option to address the judge at his sentencing hearing though he is not required to do so, and some legal experts have said it would be inadvisable for him to speak.

From Seattle Times Jun. 3, 2024

For any elite mountaineer, it would be a daunting, perilous and most likely inadvisable undertaking.

From New York Times Mar. 29, 2024

Do the comets and asteroids think it inadvisable to impact an inhabited planet?

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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