UNFAVORABLE Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

unfavorable

adjective

ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl

Definition of unfavorable

as in negative

opposed to one's interests the company chose to accept the unfavorable settlement rather than spend more money on legal fees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of unfavorable For example, a retiree with sufficient cash value might use it to supplement other assets rather than selling investments during an unfavorable market period. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 That’s in no small part because of a strong, brewing El Niño, which typically dampens Atlantic hurricanes with unfavorable wind conditions. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 Among his party, Fetterman is performing even worse, with 69% of Democrats having an unfavorable opinion of the senator compared to 13% who have a favorable opinion. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026 The polling situation was similarly unfavorable to Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 and 2018 elections, but relatively minor in comparison with the disparity in tonight's electoral results. — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfavorable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfavorable

Adjective

To that end, Musk’s average favorability rating — net negative 16 percentage points as of Wednesday, according to Decision Desk HQ — has additionally improved, although only slightly, since July 2025 when his favorability was at its nadir.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The beats create ample negative space for Holden to employ riskier flows, often deploying a double-time pace to burn through technically dense passages.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of negative

Adjective

In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation says the nationwide average for a review is 16 days, and that 98% of those reviews conclude that the project will have no adverse effect on nearby historic resources.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
High prices also a factor But despite positive weather news and whispers of an abundance of crab, other factors could affect prices in adverse ways for consumers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of adverse

Adjective

That night, Lee goes to Ginger’s house to tell her what happened — about his hostile showdown with the rupidoop, about Brawny Dude With the Butter Candies checking out Lee’s van in the Boontill parking lot.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
The trip to Leeds is another daunting assignment for United in what is usually a hostile atmosphere.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostile

Browse Nearby Words

unfathomable

unfavorable

unfavorably

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Style

“Unfavorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfavorable. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unfavorable

adjective

Example Sentences

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