unfavorable

adjective

un·​fa·​vor·​able ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl 

-ˈfā-vər-bəl

1

a

: opposed, contrary

b

: expressing disapproval : negative

unfavorable reviews

2

: not propitious : disadvantageous

an unfavorable business climate

3

: not pleasing

an unfavorable feature of the plan

unfavorableness noun

unfavorably

ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-blē 

-ˈfā-vər-bəl

adverb

Synonyms

• adverse
• counter
• disadvantageous
• hostile
• inimical
• negative
• prejudicial
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic
• untoward

Examples of unfavorable in a Sentence

She formed an unfavorable impression of him.

the company chose to accept the unfavorable settlement rather than spend more money on legal fees

Recent Examples on the Web

Governments, meanwhile, may use their powers over information to suppress unfavorable narratives: laws originally aimed at misinformation, many enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, can hinder free expression. —Fergus McIntosh, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025

Already, President-elect Donald Trump and his cabinet have threatened legacy media with defamation lawsuits for unfavorable coverage. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

Leading books have grappled with unfavorable sports outcomes in recent quarters. —Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Then Matt Jones and Anthony Kristensen discuss the Arkansas basketball's loss to Ole Miss and the unfavorable atmosphere in Bud Walton throughout the game. —Anthony Kristensen, arkansasonline.com, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing unfavorable

• in an unfavorable light

Kids Definition

unfavorable

adjective

un·​fa·​vor·​able ˌən-ˈfāv-(ə-)rə-bəl 

1

: expressing disapproval

unfavorable comments

2

: likely to make difficult or unpleasant

unfavorable weather for a camping trip

unfavorably

-blē 

adverb