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
After several unsuccessful attempts, Budden returned to his apartment, Edgewater Police said Monday in a news release.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
After another unsuccessful attempt at welterweight, Gastelum is coming back up to middleweight for the fight with Pfyer.
Pyfer and Gastelum are among the most dangerous strikers in the division.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Before the 1980 election between Carter, Reagan and independent John Anderson, Sen. Ted Kennedy waged an unsuccessful challenge to the president for the Democratic nomination.
—Marty Steinberg, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024
Myers said police had received a tip that her vehicle may be in the east Tempe area, but the lead proved to be unsuccessful.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unsuccessful 
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Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
After another unsuccessful attempt at welterweight, Gastelum is coming back up to middleweight for the fight with Pfyer.
Pyfer and Gastelum are among the most dangerous strikers in the division.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Before the 1980 election between Carter, Reagan and independent John Anderson, Sen. Ted Kennedy waged an unsuccessful challenge to the president for the Democratic nomination.
—Marty Steinberg, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024
Myers said police had received a tip that her vehicle may be in the east Tempe area, but the lead proved to be unsuccessful.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 25 Dec. 2024
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 15 Jan. 2025.
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unsuccessful
adjective
un·suc·cess·ful
ˌən(t)-sək-ˈses-fəl
: not successful : not having or producing success
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