unsuccessful

[ uhn-suhk-ses-fuhl ]

/ ˌʌn səkˈsɛs fəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unsuccessful ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not achieving or not attended with success: an unsuccessful person; an unsuccessful venture.

Nearby words

unsubscribe, unsubstantial, unsubstantiated, unsubtle, unsuccess, unsuccessful, unsuitable, unsuited, unsullied, unsung, unsupervised

Origin of unsuccessful

First recorded in 1610–20; un-¹ + successful

SYNONYMS FOR unsuccessful

hapless, unfortunate, foiled, baffled.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unsuccessful ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

un·suc·cess·ful·ly, adverbun·suc·cess·ful·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unsuccessful

As a boy, by the way, Pierre had set out from Florida in an unsuccessful canoe trip to Cuba!
Canada ♥ Cuba Just Got Complicated|Shinan Govani|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She had an unsuccessful go at trying to join the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills franchise.
How Lisa Kudrow Pulled Off TV’s Ultimate ‘Comeback’|Kevin Fallon|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Despite several years of lobbying, so far, the MPVR has been unsuccessful in its attempt to pass a measure.
Mississippi: Last In Everything, First In Vaccinations|Brandy Zadrozny|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Attempts by The Daily Beast to contact the ABMS for comment by phone and email were unsuccessful.
Rand Paul and the Certification Racket|Russell Saunders|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

After years of unsuccessful entreaties by the U.S. TV networks, Pippa finally sat down to speak with Matt Lauer.
Pippa Gives First TV Interview To Matt Lauer|Tom Sykes|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After some unsuccessful ventures in illustrated journalism, he started a pictorial weekly in New York in 1875.
The Cleveland Era|Henry Jones Ford
I also told them of my unsuccessful attempt the previous year to verify the statement.
The Meaning of Evolution|Samuel Christian Schmucker
After a series of unsuccessful inquiries over the telephone, I set out to make personal investigation.
The Sixth Sense|Stephen McKenna
If unsuccessful, she returns to her place and pays a forfeit, which is redeemed at the end of the game.
Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium|Jessie H. Bancroft
It's simply a little nasty, scrofulous imp, with a cold in his head, one of the unsuccessful ones.
The Possessed|Fyodor Dostoevsky

British Dictionary definitions for unsuccessful

unsuccessful

/ (ˌʌnsəkˈsɛsfʊl) /

adjective

not having succeeded

Derived Forms

unsuccessfully, adverb

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