as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsatisfactory
Conspiracy-mongers are now frothing at the mouth as both of the high-profile cases, while unrelated, reached unceremonious, and to many unsatisfactory, ends within just a few days of each other.
—
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Because of that, in parallel to the negotiations, the bloc continues to prepare countermeasures should talks yield unsatisfactory outcomes and may need to rebalance the agreement targeting some key sectors.
—Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
The legislature rejected a proposal from the governor to bar immigrants with unsatisfactory immigration status from receiving long-term nursing home and in-home care through Medi-Cal but went along with eliminating dental benefits starting in July 2026.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 26 June 2025
Since 2023, there have been mechanisms by which second division, or Liga Expansión, teams can join Liga MX — through meeting certain criteria — but the system is complicated, woolly and unsatisfactory.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Because of that, in parallel to the negotiations, the bloc continues to prepare countermeasures should talks yield unsatisfactory outcomes and may need to rebalance the agreement targeting some key sectors.
—Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
The legislature rejected a proposal from the governor to bar immigrants with unsatisfactory immigration status from receiving long-term nursing home and in-home care through Medi-Cal but went along with eliminating dental benefits starting in July 2026.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 26 June 2025
Since 2023, there have been mechanisms by which second division, or Liga Expansión, teams can join Liga MX — through meeting certain criteria — but the system is complicated, woolly and unsatisfactory.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
-
In an interview, Pryor said the deputy's actions were unacceptable given the subject's age, regardless of how the series of events truly unfolded.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Just totally unacceptable and mind-blowing for that kind of mistake.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This implies a poor Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 52.5% (vs. 19.4% for S&P 500).—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The general manager, making a rare road trip, told reporters that his presence had more to do with his scheduling availability than the Yankees’ third-place standing or their poor play over the past two-plus months.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And if something goes really, really wrong, Miguel and I will head directly to the airport and take the next flight out.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The religion is wrong, the technology is wrong, the agriculture is wrong, the attitude is wrong.—
Fiction Non Fiction
August 7,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
-
My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
-
Not bad for a company built on the back of a $40 plastic-cased watch!—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Drinking rates fell across every demographic and young people were most likely to believe drinking is bad for your health.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Aid distribution in Gaza has not always been this deficient, or fatal.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
26 July 2025
-
The 11 dimensions of character can manifest in deficient and excess states as shown in Table 1.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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