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.
Mascots have helped sell consumers on other potentially unappealing or dangerous products before.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
She has reduced her asking price multiple times, as potential buyers flagged the upcoming data center as an unappealing prospect.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026
Back in east London, the worker experience is "unappealing", admits Chelsea Sharp.
From BBC ● May 4, 2026
It’s why the conspiracies claiming we never went there are so unappealing, not to mention completely lacking in evidence.
From Salon ● Apr. 7, 2026
As though he was too aware of his own attractiveness, something Celia found distinctly unappealing.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
