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.
“The risks to the labor market and inflation both tilt in unfavorable directions, that is, toward a weaker labor market and a greater persistence of above-target inflation,” he said.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
That’s likely to “raise inflation while weighing on growth — an unfavorable mix for both bonds and equities,” say Lina Thomas and Daan Struyven.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 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
Even as Garfield's health worsened, Brown sent out telegrams saying: “Rumors concerning unfavorable change in President's condition largely sensational,” and “Surgeons believe President is prospectively better than at any time since shooting.”
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
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.
