unsatisfactory

[uhn-sat-is-fak-tuh-ree]

See more synonyms for unsatisfactory on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not satisfactory; not satisfying or meeting one's demands; inadequate.

Origin of unsatisfactory

First recorded in 1630–40; un-¹ + satisfactory

Related formsun·sat·is·fac·to·ri·ly, adverbun·sat·is·fac·to·ri·ness, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

disappointing, insufficient.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for unsatisfactory

Contemporary Examples

But even interrogating successful proposals leads to unsatisfactory reasoning.
Public Marriage Proposals Must Die
Tauriq Moosa
December 28, 2014
Never once was a box checked indicating that his work was unsatisfactory or needed improvement.
Two Texas Regulators Tried to Enforce the Rules. They Were Fired.
David Hasemyer, InsideClimate News
December 9, 2014
Anyone with an unsatisfactory answer is held until the Nigerian military can deal with them the next morning.
Nigeria’s Do-It-Yourself Boko Haram Busters
Nina Strochlic
May 16, 2014
I had not previously known one could get on, even in this unsatisfactory fashion, with so little brain.
5 War Books You May Not Have in Your Library
Jake Tapper
November 11, 2013
A lot of the most important data in the gun debate is unsatisfactory and is out-of-date.
Are Gun Accidents 'Very Rare'?
David Frum
February 20, 2013

Historical Examples

Under these unsatisfactory conditions, the negotiations opened.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
Sir Winston S. Churchill
"You are a most unsatisfactory person," she said gravely after a few moments.
The Slave Of The Lamp
Henry Seton Merriman
Unsatisfactory as the interview was, it yet gave me a little hope.
Wilfrid Cumbermede
George MacDonald
It was an unsatisfactory interview that Danny had with the Chief.
The Hammer of Thor
Charles Willard Diffin
The replies were unsatisfactory, commonplace, sometimes ludicrous.
Mountain Meditations
L. Lind-af-Hageby

British Dictionary definitions for unsatisfactory

unsatisfactory

adjective

not adequate or suitable; unacceptable

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for unsatisfactory

adj.

1640s, from un- (1) "not" + satisfactory.

unsatisfactory

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}unsatisfactory

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for unsatisfactory

Contemporary Examples

But even interrogating successful proposals leads to unsatisfactory reasoning.

Never once was a box checked indicating that his work was unsatisfactory or needed improvement.

Anyone with an unsatisfactory answer is held until the Nigerian military can deal with them the next morning.

I had not previously known one could get on, even in this unsatisfactory fashion, with so little brain.

A lot of the most important data in the gun debate is unsatisfactory and is out-of-date.

Historical Examples

Under these unsatisfactory conditions, the negotiations opened.

"You are a most unsatisfactory person," she said gravely after a few moments.

Unsatisfactory as the interview was, it yet gave me a little hope.

It was an unsatisfactory interview that Danny had with the Chief.

The replies were unsatisfactory, commonplace, sometimes ludicrous.

unsatisfactory

Word Origin and History for unsatisfactory

adj.

Origin of unsatisfactory