unhealthy

adjective

ˌən-ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
Definition of unhealthynext
1
as in poisonous
bad for the well-being of the body we knew that the junk food at the carnival was unhealthy, but it tasted so good!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury criticism of the military dictatorship has proved to be unhealthy for several of that nation's journalists

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body she's been unhealthy for almost a week now

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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 unhealthy Fair or not, the noise that surrounds Sanders creates an unhealthy environment for everyone else. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The findings could help shape the often contentious public debate over whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use food stamps to pay for soda, candy and other unhealthy foods. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Yet our tendency to use body mass as a convenient proxy for unhealthy weight gain may obfuscate the true risks – and even benefits – of being a little bigger. — Mike McRae 24, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026 Walking will also help regulate appetite and curb the urge to grab those unhealthy snacks between meals. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unhealthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhealthy
  1. poisonous
  2. dangerous
  3. sick
  4. toxic
  5. hazardous
  6. bad
  7. unhealthful
  8. risky
Adjective
  • But the point was just that Nick’s character is emulating Sheridan’s poisonous corrupted values, and the internet is a vehicle for that relationship.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • For this reason, these poisonous mushrooms are more commonly confused with other types of edible mushrooms like chicken of the woods and chanterelles (more on these in a minute).
    — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of poisonous
Adjective
  • Heaping credit onto Espada is dangerous, but so is blaming him for every game that goes awry.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That’s a dangerous prospect for any country, but especially for Singapore, crammed into a space smaller than New York City.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • Some recalls, Eskin said, are made after companies’ routine testing catches a pathogen before anyone gets sick, while others involve outbreaks that are already underway and vary widely in size and severity.
    — Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sanchez also ordered a meal from Taco Bell, but didn’t get sick.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • Prosecutors argued at trial that Shirilla intentionally drove into the building to end her toxic relationship with Russo and that Flanagan was an unintended victim who happened to be in the car.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • For bouquets, Wahlen recommends choosing one type of flower that has already been identified as non-toxic rather than an arrangement filled with unfamiliar stems and greenery, where a dangerous flower may be tucked among otherwise safe blooms.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of toxic
Adjective
  • The park said more flash floods and hazardous conditions were possible over the next two days, amid potential thunderstorms and downpours.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the entire Thumb region.
    — Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • The accident was one of the Portuguese capital’s worst tragedies in recent memory and cast a shadow over the city’s ongoing tourism boom.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The must-read Falling during a hike can lead to a serious injury, or even worse.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • Warnings of unhealthful air quality remained in effect Saturday across a wide swath of the United States due to smoke from Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze for days.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026
  • The soil may contain pathogens, pesticides and other unhealthful things.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of unhealthful
Adjective
  • At the same time — despite Tuesday’s move — investor appetite for riskier assets like stocks continues to climb.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Knowing a bailout is coming, however, may inadvertently encourage farmers to sustain their dependence on the risky Chinese export market.
    — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of risky

Browse Nearby Words

unhealthiness
unhealthy
unheard-of
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Cite this Entry

“Unhealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhealthy. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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