unpleasant

adjective

un·​pleas·​ant ˌən-ˈple-zᵊnt 

: not pleasant : not amiable or agreeable : displeasing

unpleasant odors

unpleasantly adverb

Synonyms

• bad
• bitter
• disagreeable
• displeasing
• distasteful
• harsh
• icky
• nasty
• rotten
• sour
• uncongenial
• unlovely
• unpalatable
• unpleasing
• unsavory
• unwelcome
• wicked
• yucky
• yukky

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

Some of these vitamins have quality issues, like a fishy or unpleasant taste. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 June 2025

Diana, for example, when anything unpleasant was said in her presence, would slowly blink her eyes in an incredible act of denial. —Rosemary Counter, Time, 25 June 2025

Experts say this unpleasant feeling can be caused by irritation from synthetic extensions, a dehydrated scalp, and product buildup. —Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 24 June 2025

While there's very little to do but watch and essentially wait for the heat to pass, some can't help but gripe about the unpleasant (and dangerous) weather. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 24 June 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