unappealing

British  

/ ˌʌnəˈpiːlɪŋ /

adjective

1. not attractive or pleasing

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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

Many promising schools never open—not because of weak demand or unappealing curricula, but because zoning codes and occupancy classifications were written for campuses with hundreds of students.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 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

When the name change to MS NOW was announced in October, the network’s internal research showed 31% of viewers found the idea somewhat unappealing or very unappealing, a warning light for what might be ahead.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

While it’s an unappealing display of vanity and a misunderstanding of what news is and does, it’s also serving to keep his name in headlines.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2026

She did not know that the too-strong scent of lavender would be unappealing to him, after all.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• disgusting
• dreary
• ugly
• unappetizing
• unattractive
• unpleasant