Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Likely to be a hindrance; disadvantageous.
  • adjective Having or showing opposition; adverse.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Not favorable; not propitious; discouraging; adverse. Not adapted to promote some specified object; somewhat prejudicial: as, weather unfavorable for harvest; unfavorable conditions.
  • Ill-favored; ugly; unattractive; repulsive.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Not favorable; not propitious; adverse; contrary; discouraging.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Disadvantageous, adverse, unsuitable, inconducive; serving to hinder or oppose.
  • adjective etc Not favorable, disapproving.
  • adjective of wind or weather Causing obstacles or delay; not conducive to travel or work; inclement.
  • adjective Not auspicious; ill-boding.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective not encouraging or approving or pleasing
  • adjective not favorable
  • adjective (of winds or weather) tending to hinder or oppose

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

un- + favourable

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word unfavorable.

Examples

  • The Ukrainian government has blamed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for striking what it calls an unfavorable deal in January 2009 to end a natural gas cut-off.

    Ukraine Snubs Russian Push for Closer Ties James Marson 2011

  • Yes, this new thinking goes, these bad genes can create dysfunction in unfavorable contexts — but they can also enhance function in favorable contexts.

    The Science of Success 2009

  • Yes, this new thinking goes, these bad genes can create dysfunction in unfavorable contexts — but they can also enhance function in favorable contexts.

    The Science of Success 2009

  • July 24th, 2009 10: 47 am ET unfavorable is putting it mildly! she is EVERYTHING that is WRONG in our nation, and anyone who would favor her needs to wake up!

    Poll: Majority don't approve of Palin 2009

  • Yes, this new thinking goes, these bad genes can create dysfunction in unfavorable contexts — but they can also enhance function in favorable contexts.

    The Science of Success 2009

  • I came back because of Obama, but thanks to the media, and all those who seem hell-bent to show him in unfavorable light, I will silently retreat again.

    Obama campaign makes general election plans 2008

  • According to Technorati, there are many ways to cheat your way up to get more "authority" by getting linked in unfavorable ways.

    How To Get Linked Without Cheating 2007

  • According to Technorati, there are many ways to cheat your way up to get more "authority" by getting linked in unfavorable ways.

    Archive 2007-08-01 2007

  • The colored, hexagonal terra cotta tiles that seemed like a good idea when the system was being built have what maintenance staffers describe as an unfavorable "coefficient of friction."

    Dr. Gridlock: New tiles should make traversing Metro platforms easier 2011

  • Last week, the government demanded $5.6 billion in taxes on profits made by Vale's foreign subsidiaries, plus penalties and interest, after what Vale described as "unfavorable rulings" at the administrative level.

    Vale Wins Injunction in Brazil Tax Dispute Matthew Cowley 2012

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.