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 Conventional assumptions held that Israel will refrain from any action until those negotiations either failed altogether or concluded in unsatisfactory fashion—and that, if a deal with the Islamic Republic was struck, no Israeli military action would be forthcoming at all. Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 If the answers to these questions are unsatisfactory, your readiness is in question. Vivek Ahuja, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 The Federal Government Is Doing Less Post George Floyd Despite this unsatisfactory state of affairs, the federal government is doing less to address these challenges. Gena Cox, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025 In addition to creating unsatisfactory weather, NWS meteorologists warned that the winds would cause hazardous seas and urged boaters to take caution. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsatisfactory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsatisfactory
Adjective
  • The use of unilateral sanctions against Special Rapporteurs or any other UN expert or official is unacceptable.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Students, both the ones who behave and the ones who misbehave, need to know that there are real consequences for unacceptable behavior.
    Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • But August is perhaps a poor month in which to rally the staff.
    John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
  • For certain situations, particularly if someone is in poor health, experts generally say claiming early makes sense.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • There is nothing wrong with having adapted in this way.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • But new research shows that the intuitive assumption that the water is mostly newly melted snow or fresh rain is dead wrong.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 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
  • But there's also nothing worse than missing a connection that delays your trip by hours or even a full day.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 July 2025
  • But conditions can be so much worse and the resources can be strained.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The report alleges a range of major violations plaguing St. Hope Public Schools — including conflicts of interests among its top officers, improper use of public funding, deficient accounting processes and the employment of a largely unqualified teaching staff.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025
  • If a person is not deficient in iron, too much iron can cause significant problems.5 3.
    Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsatisfactory. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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