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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unpleasantness British  

/ ʌnˈplɛzəntnɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being unpleasant

2. an unpleasant event, situation, etc

3. a disagreement or quarrel

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Etymology

Origin of unpleasantness

First recorded in 1540–50; unpleasant + -ness

Example Sentences

I don’t know why I endured that unpleasantness for so long, or why the ridiculousness of it dawned on me that day in Texas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

And the feeling of unpleasantness in San Francisco about human misery—people who are having some real hard, difficult times living so close to people who are making fortunes that are unbelievable—that hasn’t changed.

From Slate • Aug. 15, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2024

At first, it looked like she could skip all this unpleasantness, but James has now called her as a witness and Engoron agreed that her testimony was relevant.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2023

Behind my impassive face my soul curled up into a ball, waiting until the unpleasantness was over.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• animosity
• antagonism