unsell

verb

un·​sell ˌən-ˈsel How to pronounce unsell (audio)
unsold ˌən-ˈsōld How to pronounce unsell (audio) ; unselling

transitive verb

1
: to dissuade from a belief in the truth, value, or desirability of something
ads that unsell the public on energy consumption
2
: to discourage a belief in the truth, value, or desirability of
I unsold the coat he wanted and sold him another

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsell was circa 1929

Dictionary Entries Near unsell

Cite this Entry

“Unsell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsell. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsell

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!