unhealthy
Americanadjective
-
not in a state of good or normal health; in an unsound, weak, or morbid condition.
- Synonyms:
- sickly
-
symptomatic of or resulting from bad health.
an unhealthy pallor.
-
not conducive to good health; unhealthful.
Night air was formerly considered unhealthy.
- Synonyms:
- deleterious, unhygienic
-
morally bad, harmful, or contaminating.
unhealthy examples for the young.
-
dangerous; risky.
Asking questions in this neighborhood can be unhealthy.
adjective
-
characterized by ill-health; sick; unwell
-
characteristic of, conducive to, or resulting from ill-health
an unhealthy complexion
an unhealthy atmosphere
-
morbid or unwholesome
-
informal dangerous; risky
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unhealthy
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.
Unhealthy levels of exposure to this microscopic debris can damage airways and arteries, potentially triggering heart attacks and strokes.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2025
Unhealthy diets also have an impact on glucose, making blood glucose and insulin higher.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2024
Unhealthy guilt can be an unconscious attempt to control the uncontrollable.
From Slate • Feb. 1, 2024
Unhealthy air arrived in Central and Eastern Washington on Thursday as smoke from wildfires blanketed the region.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023
Unhealthy it might be; it was certainly secure.
From Carry On! A Story of the Fight for Bagdad by Strang, Herbert
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.
