unacceptable

adjective

un·​ac·​cept·​able ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
-ak-
Synonyms of unacceptablenext
: not acceptable : not pleasing or welcome
unacceptability
ˌən-ik-ˌsep-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
noun
unacceptably
ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-blē How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of unacceptable

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Examples of unacceptable in a Sentence

a word that is unacceptable in formal English Some of her ideas were unacceptable to other people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The win won’t change what’s frankly been an unacceptable campaign for a program that was 18-1-4 just two seasons ago. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 The treatment of women in these shirts has been unacceptable and targeted. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 The idea of not spending evenings with my kid is, kids are, is completely unacceptable. — Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026 Notifying our offices on the day the decision was made public, without prior conversations or an opportunity to understand the rationale and explore potential solutions, is unacceptable. — Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unacceptable

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unacceptable was in the 15th century

Rhymes for unacceptable

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Browse Nearby Words

unaccented
unacceptable
unacceptance
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Cite this Entry

“Unacceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unacceptable. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unacceptable

adjective
un·​ac·​cept·​able ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
-ak-
: not acceptable : not pleasing or welcome
unacceptably
-blē How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
adverb
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