unfavorable
Americanadjective
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not favorable; contrary; adverse.
an unfavorable wind.
-
not propitious.
an unfavorable omen.
-
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.
“The renewed rise in oil and gas prices, persistently elevated refining margins, the gradual withdrawal of government support and unfavorable base effects all point to sustained energy inflation pressures,” they said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Barad said that polygenic scores could eventually help clinicians identify people who are more likely to experience unfavorable cholesterol changes after certain dietary modifications.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
Just under half of voters, 49%, have a favorable opinion of Becerra while 43% have an unfavorable view.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
While stocks have generally trended higher across all periods, Kaeppel explained that returns during the unfavorable stretches have been far more volatile and inconsistent than what has been seen during the favorable periods.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 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.
