unpleasant

adjective

un·​pleas·​ant ˌən-ˈple-zᵊnt 

: not pleasant : not amiable or agreeable : displeasing

unpleasant odors

unpleasantly adverb

Synonyms

• unpleasing
• harsh
• bad
• nasty
• ugly
• bitter
• sour
• horrible
• disgusting
• awful
• disagreeable
• sickening
• unwelcome
• rotten

Examples of unpleasant in a Sentence

I stopped taking the drug because of its unpleasant side effects.

There was an unpleasant smell coming from the basement.

The weather is so unpleasant here.

I like the shop, but the staff are so unpleasant.

Recent Examples on the Web

A couple who had moved into a new apartment a couple of hours earlier got an unpleasant surprise after returning from a celebratory dinner. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025

Why Connection Counts Feeling cut off is more than unpleasant. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

There are many financial benefits to property ownership, but that also means bills, repairs, maintenance and a number of other unpleasant surprises. —Steve Jahnke, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025

Advertisement Jolly’s hike almost certainly would have taken an unpleasant turn. —Angela Haupt, Time, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unpleasant

• omnipresent
• peasant
• pheasant
• pleasant
• present

Kids Definition

unpleasant

adjective

un·​pleas·​ant ˌən-ˈplez-ᵊnt 

ˈən-

: not pleasant : not friendly or agreeable : displeasing

unpleasantly adverb

unpleasantness noun