unsatisfactory

adjective

un·​sat·​is·​fac·​to·​ry ˌən-ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce unsatisfactory (audio)
: not satisfactory
unsatisfactorily adverb
unsatisfactoriness noun

Examples of unsatisfactory in a Sentence

He was fired for unsatisfactory performance. an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse
Recent Examples on the Web Read More: How to Make Russia Pay to Rebuild Ukraine The compromise solution the G7 countries seem to have landed on is highly unsatisfactory. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 21 May 2024 After a decade of unsatisfactory leadership and economic and political turbulence, Britons will soon be heading to the polls to elect a new government. Tim Lankester, Fortune, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsatisfactory 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsatisfactory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsatisfactory was circa 1650

Dictionary Entries Near unsatisfactory

Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsatisfactory. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsatisfactory

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