unhealthy

[ uhn-hel-thee ]

adjective

, un·health·i·er, un·health·i·est.

1. not in a state of good or normal health; in an unsound, weak, or morbid condition.

   Synonyms: sickly

2. symptomatic of or resulting from bad health:

   an unhealthy pallor.

3. not conducive to good health; unhealthful:

   Night air was formerly considered unhealthy.

   Synonyms: unhygienic, deleterious

4. morally bad, harmful, or contaminating:

   unhealthy examples for the young.

5. dangerous; risky:

   Asking questions in this neighborhood can be unhealthy.

unhealthy

/ ʌnˈhɛlθɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by ill-health; sick; unwell
2. characteristic of, conducive to, or resulting from ill-health

   an unhealthy atmosphere

   an unhealthy complexion

3. morbid or unwholesome
4. informal.
   dangerous; risky

Derived Forms

• unˈhealthily, adverb
• unˈhealthiness, noun

Other Words From

• un·healthi·ly adverb
• un·healthi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unhealthy¹

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + healthy

Example Sentences

Eating disorders are a very real issue for a lot of young people and to see Kim Kardashian actively encouraging her fans to develop an unhealthy relationship with food is terrifying and gravely concerning.

From Time

I would have never dreamed that she would have lied to us like this so early on and sought out such unhealthy negative attention.

From Washington Post

Participants tend to be interested in movement, eating well and avoiding unhealthy habits — and they support other community members’ exercise, Anderson found.

From Washington Post

There are also cases in which it’s been effective to nudge people to stop unhealthy behaviors.

From No Straight News

Avoid impulse purchasing unhealthy snacks or items you won’t realistically use.

From Washington Post

Most of us have an unhealthy relationship with anger, writes author and psychologist Andrea Brandt.

From The Daily Beast

Barbie is an unrealistic, unhealthy, insulting representation of female appearance.

From The Daily Beast

Jordan Younger knew her raw vegan diet had become an unhealthy obsession when she started avoiding going out with friends.

From The Daily Beast

You rigidly avoid any food you deem to be “unhealthy,” such as those containing fat, preservatives, additives or animal products.

From The Daily Beast

More than 15 million Americans eat unhealthy food because nutritious meals are too expensive.

From The Daily Beast

I presume the twenty-five or thirty miles at this end is unhealthy, even for natives, but it surely need not be so.

From Project Gutenberg

Where the dampness is excessive the fronds take on an unhealthy appearance, and mould may appear.

From Project Gutenberg

That community which does not improve in the region where the means of healthful increase are afforded, is in an unhealthy state.

From Project Gutenberg

What an agitation, and at the same time what an unhealthy stimulus to his over-sensibility!

From Project Gutenberg

He was in the position of a borrower driving a risky trade, or of a would-be insurer who leads an unhealthy life.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• corrupt
• corrupting
• dangerous
• degrading
• detrimental
• harmful
• hazardous
• negative
• noxious
• perilous
• perverse
• poisonous
• risky
• undesirable
• unsanitary
• unsound