unsatisfactory

adjective

un·​sat·​is·​fac·​to·​ry ˌən-ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce unsatisfactory (audio)
: not satisfactory
unsatisfactorily adverb
unsatisfactoriness noun

Examples of unsatisfactory in a Sentence

He was fired for unsatisfactory performance. an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If the response is unsatisfactory, the district could use information in the audit to refuse the two schools renewal. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025 Democrats found the responses from Trump officials unsatisfactory. Nik Popli, Time, 25 Mar. 2025 The company may terminate the Management Agreement for unsatisfactory performance by the Manager, but such termination may be difficult and costly. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025 If any of those questions are met with an unsatisfactory answer, next season could be just as difficult for Manchester City as this one has proved. The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsatisfactory was circa 1650

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Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsatisfactory. Accessed 26 May. 2025.

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