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.
Disney’s connection to Anaheim sometimes has drawn unflattering critiques, with the company viewed as overly powerful and the city as overly welcoming. Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 13 July 2025 Cruel injuries have mostly dictated the trajectory of his career in the past few years, however, with an unflattering spell on loan at Brighton in the Premier League unable to launch his career. Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Her friend’s small attentions filled her with pleasure, and yet there had been any number of instances when a few unflattering words had rankled for weeks. Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025 Your bombastic attacks on the free press are, at best, unflattering — and at worst, undermine a core tenet of democracy. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unflattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unflattering. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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