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.
Pratt’s unfavorable rating in the current poll was also 57% — up dramatically from the 28% unfavorable rating in the previous poll, although in that poll, 55% of likely voters had no opinion of him.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
The JK Misery Index stood at 30.37 as of Wednesday, as shown in the chart below, below the 35 level that Kaeppel considers the dividing line between a favorable and unfavorable backdrop for stocks.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
Gross margin declined 470 basis points to 42% due to higher tariffs, higher product costs, pricing headwinds and unfavorable regional mix.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
The poll also found that more voters had a favorable impression of Talarico than those with unfavorable views — 41% to 34%, with the rest saying they were unsure.
From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026
But the leader of the Hitler Youth, Baldur von Schirach, was unhappy about the unfavorable publicity, and he told the Hitler Youth to obey the law.
From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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.
