unsuitable

adjective

un·​suit·​able ˌən-ˈsü-tə-bəl 

: not fitting or right for a use or purpose : not suitable

an unsuitable choice

unsuitable topics for conversation

unsuitability

ˌən-ˌsü-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unsuitability for the job

unsuitably

ˌən-ˈsü-tə-blē 

adverb

unsuitably dressed

Synonyms

• amiss
• graceless
• improper
• inapposite
• inappropriate
• inapt
• incongruous
• incorrect
• indecorous
• inept
• infelicitous
• malapropos
• perverse
• unapt
• unbecoming
• unfit
• unhappy
• unseemly
• untoward
• wrong

Examples of unsuitable in a Sentence

all the movies playing now are violent or otherwise unsuitable for a child's birthday party

Recent Examples on the Web

The city constructed the dormitories at Floyd Bennett Field despite protests and criticism that the location was unsuitable and isolated. —Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Unlike artificial trees, real trees are biodegradable and often grown on land unsuitable for other crops. —Emma Marsden, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

With little more than a year to run before Windows 10’s unpopular end-of-life and a support guillotine for millions of users caught with unsuitable hardware, the stakes are high to push the massive 70% of Windows users not yet on Windows 11 to make the leap. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Human services settings can suffer tremendously from unsuitable employees, who may jeopardize the health, safety or dignity of those in their care. —Debra Rinell, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unsuitable

adjective

un·​suit·​able

ˌən-ˈsüt-ə-bəl,

ˈən-

: not suitable or fitting : unbecoming, inappropriate

unsuitably

-blē

adverb