unattractive

British  

/ ˌʌnəˈtræktɪv /

adjective

1. not appealing to the senses or mind through beauty, form, character, etc

2. not arousing interest

   an unattractive proposition

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Explanation

Unattractive means "unappealing" or "ugly." The cake you baked for you best friend's birthday may be lopsided and unattractive, but she won't care if it tastes delicious. It's not very nice to describe people as unattractive — you're basically saying they're not pretty or handsome. But inanimate objects can also be unattractive if they're not pleasant to look at, like the unattractive cactus on your coffee table. And other things are unattractive because they offer no benefits or advantages: "I wanted that job until he offered me an unattractive salary."

Example Sentences

“We cherish pleasure,” the authors write unabashedly, “and believe a politics without it will be unattractive, drab, listless, and doomed to failure.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The Vanguard Consumer Staples Index exchange-traded fund has ripped higher—and looks unattractive.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

They say that it is very unlikely that dead animals were transported, and the bones are unattractive suggesting they were not decorative or used in craft.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

If the dollar is unattractive as a portfolio hedge, the more incentive there is to reduce dollar exposure.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

In short, we are unattractive know-all obsessives who get things out of proportion and are in continual peril of being disowned by our exasperated families.

From "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Author

Related Words

• disgusting
• repugnant
• repulsive
• unappealing