unacceptable
Britishadjective
-
not satisfactory; inadequate
the standard was wholly unacceptable
-
intolerable
hitting children is unacceptable
Explanation
Something unacceptable is not okay — it's objectionable or displeasing. Hey, are you yelling in the library? That's unacceptable! If a student's behavior is unacceptable, she may get detention or be sent to the principal's office. And if a restaurant patron's meal is unacceptable, he has every right to ask his server for something else. The adjective unacceptable adds the "not" prefix un- to acceptable, "suitable, adequate, or pleasing." We can trace the roots back to the Latin acceptare, "take or receive willingly."
Vocabulary lists containing unacceptable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Micky van de Ven says Tottenham's record spending highlights a "new ambition" after an "unacceptable" season - and backed the team to play "more enjoyable" football under Roberto de Zerbi.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
“It’s an unacceptable, unfortunate and consequential error,” Yiannas said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander, said the scenes were "wholly unacceptable".
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White says that’s ‘absolutely unacceptable.’
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
The prospect of scrubbing a mission because a solar cell got dirty was unacceptable.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
