as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unsatisfactory Although the probationary workers were sent termination letters that said they were fired for unsatisfactory performance or conduct, the state attorneys general claim the dismissals were part of a restructuring or downsizing effort. Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2025 Inadequate Post-Operative Care Follow-up care is often overlooked, which can result in long-term problems and unsatisfactory outcomes. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025 Vague prompts deliver unsatisfactory results, and a new user is unlikely to understand the nuance of these commands, creating frustration. Hunter Steele, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Bothwell said the city has thrown up another roadblock in case the PB planners get an unsatisfactory ruling. Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
  • Defense stocks were once considered socially unacceptable investments, but fund managers are slowly changing tack as the sector has rallied in recent years.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Forcing Americans and small independent American companies to rely on those same tools is an unacceptable outcome of domestic legislation.
    Emma Woollacott, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a real debate to be had about what responsibility better-off neighborhoods like Hyde Park have to help solve humanitarian problems that often are laid at the feet of poorer areas.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Job loss also results in people experiencing higher levels of depressive symptoms, poor health, loss of social support, and disruption of social and family ties, according to Jennie E Brand, author of The Far-Reaching Impact of Job Loss and Unemployment.
    Paul Klein, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And it’s been even harder for my daughter, Piper, who never did anything wrong.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, the new price on the OnePlus store is about 50 percent higher, putting OnePlus on the wrong side of devices like the Pixel Watch and Apple Watch.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 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
  • Colby Pope, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, implored people to stay home if possible and remain vigilant, citing the potential for flooded roads and bad driving conditions.
    Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article San Diego officials are scrambling to figure out how to fix or replace the 43-year-old Mission Beach lifeguard tower, which is in such bad shape structurally that it’s been declared a threat to public health and safety.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kraken was also accused of having deficient internal controls and record keeping.
    Jonathan Stempel, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Those studies show that supplementing with vitamin A in people who are deficient can lead to milder infections with diseases like measles.
    Alice Park, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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