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.
Mr. Paré-Poupart doesn’t ever sanitize his job, and his book is replete with descriptions of how unappealing its conditions and circumstances are.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Back in east London, the worker experience is "unappealing", admits Chelsea Sharp.
From BBC • May 4, 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
Amari huddled in a corner, trying to make herself look like one of the children, trying to look lame or stupid or unappealing.
From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper
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.
