unfavorable

American

[uhn-fey-ver-uh-buhl] / ʌnˈfeɪ vər ə bəl /

adjective

not favorable; contrary; adverse.

an unfavorable wind.
not propitious.

an unfavorable omen.
unfortunate; undesirable; disadvantageous.

an unfavorable development.

Other Word Forms

unfavorableness noun
unfavorably adverb

Etymology

Origin of unfavorable

Middle English word dating back to 1540–50; see origin at un- ¹, favorable

Explanation

If a movie receives mostly unfavorable reviews, that means the reviews were not good because most people who saw it didn’t enjoy it at all. The word unfavorable combines the prefix un-, meaning "not," with the word favorable, referring to something "positive or beneficial." When something is described as unfavorable, it suggests that the situation isn’t going your way — like when the weather forecast predicts rain for your outdoor event. An unfavorable outcome can lead to frustration, disappointment, or unmet expectations, signaling that circumstances aren’t aligning in your favor.

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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.

What if the interest-rate curve looks unfavorable for banks?

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

The mood among consumers soured notably in early April, with the Iran conflict getting the blame for unfavorable changes in business conditions and personal finances.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The company expects earnings per share to rise quarter-over-quarter, excluding unfavorable timing effects that will reverse over time.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

In one recent high-profile poll, about 56% of respondents said they had an unfavorable view of Bass.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The darkness is an unfavorable condition for me.

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

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