unfavorable

[uhn-fey-ver-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. not favorable; contrary; adverse.

   an unfavorable wind.

2. not propitious.

   an unfavorable omen.

3. unfortunate; undesirable; disadvantageous.

   an unfavorable development.

Other Word Forms

• unfavorableness noun
• unfavorably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfavorable¹

Middle English word dating back to 1540–50; un- ¹, favorable

Example Sentences

After court battles led to unfavorable rulings on ICE raids and other issues, the White House appears ready to keep pushing the limits of judges’ tolerance.

From Los Angeles Times

Pew Research Center reported in April that 69% of Democrats now hold an unfavorable view of Israel — a striking shift from just a few years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

After all, the word has served him well in the past; “hoax” has been his go-to description for dismissing true stories that he finds unfavorable.

From Salon

Paramount runs the joint venture with Stone and Parker, sharing control of the streaming rights to the show that launched in 1997 on Comedy Central, although the duo can veto streaming deals they find unfavorable.

From Los Angeles Times

Non-white Christian groups, non-Christian religious groups, atheists, agnostics and unaffiliated all hold unfavorable views of Trump.

From Salon

Related Words

• adverse 
• antagonistic 
• calamitous 
• damaging 
• destructive 
• disadvantageous 
• hostile 
• negative 
• objectionable 
• ominous 
• troublesome 
• unfriendly