unpleasantness

American  

[uhn-plez-uhnt-nis] / ʌnˈplɛz ənt nɪs /

noun

1. the quality or state of being unpleasant.

2. something that is displeasing or offensive, as an experience, event, or situation.

   An unpleasantness made them ill-at-ease.

3. an unpleasant feeling or sensation caused by disagreeable or painful stimuli.

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Etymology

Origin of unpleasantness

First recorded in 1540–50; unpleasant + -ness

Example Sentences

“But Constance, dear. Given all this unpleasantness, what say we go home to Ashton Place? I’m done with London myself. Much rather be out in the woods, shooting, what?”

From Literature

“There’s been so much hatred and so much unpleasantness. I want to do everything I can to make relations better,” she said.

From Salon

That the unpleasantness turns out to be time well spent is a credit to Leigh’s curiosity about miserable jerks and the joy-sucking traps they set for themselves and others.

From Los Angeles Times

And that personality, rather than changing from an "old" to a "new" Carter, had to be examined as a set of layers of faith, of action, even of unpleasantnesses.

From Salon

Those who fall ill can still suffer from the unpleasantness of being acutely sick for weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• animosity
• antagonism