unsuccessful

adjective

un·​suc·​cess·​ful ˌən-sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce unsuccessful (audio)
: not successful : not meeting with or producing success
unsuccessfully adverb

Examples of unsuccessful in a Sentence

His last novel was unsuccessful. an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
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.
June became hopeful that the American rescue mission would lead to a reunion with her daughter, but that was unsuccessful. Abigail Lee, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025 Last year, Harry’s legal action against the Home Office was unsuccessful and the court initially refused him permission to appeal. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 Efforts to reach the victim’s family were unsuccessful. Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 Officers and paramedics attempted life-saving measures on the child but were unsuccessful. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsuccessful was in 1617

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Cite this Entry

“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsuccessful. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

unsuccessful

adjective
un·​suc·​cess·​ful ˌən(t)-sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce unsuccessful (audio)
: not successful : not having or producing success
unsuccessfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unsuccessful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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