unfavorable
Americanadjective
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not favorable; contrary; adverse.
an unfavorable wind.
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not propitious.
an unfavorable omen.
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unfortunate; undesirable; disadvantageous.
an unfavorable development.
Other Word Forms
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.
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.
Those films all found an audience despite their unfavorable reception.
From Salon • Jun. 27, 2026
"Stem-nesting species appear to have the lowest capacity to escape unfavorable environmental temperatures and are likely to be the most impacted by anthropogenic climate change in the near term."
From Science Daily • Jun. 18, 2026
Hilton and Steyer were upside down — 31% had a favorable opinion of Hilton compared to 38% unfavorable, and 39% had a favorable view of Steyer while 43% saw him unfavorably.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
The judge stated that vacating the decision would allow parties to erase unfavorable rulings and hinder the accumulation of legal precedents.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
During her first term in Congress, the Montana legislature changed the boundaries of its voting districts, and Rankin found herself in a politically unfavorable area.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
