unsuccessful
adjective
un·suc·cess·ful
ˌən-sək-ˈses-fəl 
: not successful : not meeting with or producing success
Synonyms
Examples of unsuccessful in a Sentence
His last novel was unsuccessful.
an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
Recent Examples on the Web
The robber was unsuccessful in his attempt to take cash from the register and fled the scene.
—
Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Kramer, a get-out-the-vote specialist, worked on ballot access for the campaign of former Democratic presidential hopeful Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and also worked on Kanye West’s unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 18 Feb. 2025
The Duke of York’s attempts to seize the throne were unsuccessful, and he was ultimately killed in battle in 1460.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
While it will be regarded as a technological milestone, Here was unsuccessful in theaters, grossing less than $16 million worldwide in its release by Sony/TriStar.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unsuccessful 
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Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Kramer, a get-out-the-vote specialist, worked on ballot access for the campaign of former Democratic presidential hopeful Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and also worked on Kanye West’s unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 18 Feb. 2025
The Duke of York’s attempts to seize the throne were unsuccessful, and he was ultimately killed in battle in 1460.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
While it will be regarded as a technological milestone, Here was unsuccessful in theaters, grossing less than $16 million worldwide in its release by Sony/TriStar.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Dictionary Entries Near unsuccessful
Cite this Entry
“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuccessful. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unsuccessful
adjective
un·suc·cess·ful
ˌən(t)-sək-ˈses-fəl
: not successful : not having or producing success
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