unfavorable
Americanadjective
-
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; un- 1, favorable
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.
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
In France, polls show even right-wing voters have an unfavorable view of the president.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
More than a year later, 56% of those polled said they had an unfavorable view of her, while 31% viewed her favorably.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026
Often, the source of their unfavorable choice is a misguided reliance on past performance.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026
Mal’s eyebrows expressed an unfavorable opinion of this method of naming.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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.
