unflattering

adjective

un·​flat·​ter·​ing ˌən-ˈfla-tə-riŋ How to pronounce unflattering (audio)
: not flattering
an unflattering portrait
especially : unfavorable
unflattering remarks
unflatteringly adverb

Examples of unflattering in a Sentence

She was wearing the most unflattering outfit.
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.
The profile — based on multiple interviews with Ali along with former colleagues, friends and reporters, according to Kiefer — painted an unflattering image of Ali, alleged the plaintiff. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025 Similar unflattering reporting by other news organizations only further abetted his comeback. Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 At the same time, several unflattering narratives about Lively started to spread on social media. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Barred from meeting Simpson, Blackwood nevertheless managed to render an extraordinarily vivid and unflattering likeness of her elusive subject. Negar Azimi, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unflattering 

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unflattering was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near unflattering

Cite this Entry

“Unflattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unflattering. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unflattering

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!