unenviable

adjective

un·​en·​vi·​able ˌən-ˈen-vē-ə-bəl How to pronounce unenviable (audio)
: not desirable or pleasant : not arousing envy : not enviable
an unenviable position
Kent Alterman, our director, had the unenviable task of herding cats.Will Ferrell

Examples of unenviable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Potter’s unenviable task, and opportunity to fall at the first hurdle, comes before his final 50. Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 Masters is, in many ways, in an unenviable position. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025 For now, Tottenham’s new-look boardroom has the unenviable task of addressing a pressing issue that could otherwise have a significant impact on the ability of Frank’s team to perform at their best in the Champions League next season. Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 July 2025 The pursuing pack awoke Sunday with the unenviable task of catching a force at the peak of his powers who, even without the padding of a four shot cushion, is rarely caught once ahead. Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unenviable

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unenviable was in 1641

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Cite this Entry

“Unenviable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unenviable. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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