unpalatable

[ uhn-pal-uh-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not palatable; unpleasant to the taste.
2. disagreeable or unacceptable; obnoxious:

   unpalatable behavior.

unpalatable

/ ʌnˈpælətəbəl /

adjective

1. unpleasant to taste
2. difficult to accept

   the unpalatable truth

Other Words From

• un·palat·a·bili·ty noun
• un·palat·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unpalatable¹

First recorded in 1675–85; un- ¹ + palatable

Example Sentences

The fact that it has since become recognized as the end of an epoch shows how history can be misused to justify otherwise unpalatable actions in the present—and how that misuse can also distort the lessons future generations take from the past.

From Time

Merganser, another type of duck, is quite fishy and some people find it unpalatable.

From Popular-Science

As unpalatable as a fecal microbiota transplant may seem, the process is actually simple and fairly well disguised, because the recipient is asleep and not consciously aware of what’s being infused into their body.

From Time

Faced with the problem of Afghanistan, however, Bush officials found themselves with only unpalatable choices.

From Washington Post

Court packing might seem politically unpalatable, and might only exacerbate the problem if Republicans countered when the political pendulum next swung right.

From Time

Either Uber will continue to dodge its detractors, or customers will eventually find its public reputation unpalatable.

From The Daily Beast

May has a reputation for stylishly delivering unpalatable truths.

From The Daily Beast

But it ends up making that life seem completely unpalatable.

From The Daily Beast

Or not so happy, if the electorate finds the nominee unpalatable.

From The Daily Beast

That would be politically unpalatable, given the very vocal anguish and frustration of the families of the missing.

From The Daily Beast

The latter sounds somewhat unpalatable, but was in fact not at all bad eating.

From Project Gutenberg

Its unpalatable character led to various devices to render it tasteless and make it more acceptable to the stomach.

From Project Gutenberg

We found the tubers (but not the flowers) of an arum, which the Tibetans collect and make of it a very unpalatable bread.

From Project Gutenberg

The most unpalatable fact in physics is that of the Struggle for Life.

From Project Gutenberg

But the rind is rough and woolly, and the flesh is harsh and unpalatable, and only fit to be eaten when cooked.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disagreeable
• distasteful
• unappetizing
• unpleasant
• unsavory