unacceptable

adjective

un·​ac·​cept·​able ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl 

-ak-

: not acceptable : not pleasing or welcome

unacceptability

ˌən-ik-ˌsep-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unacceptably

ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• bad
• bastard
• bush
• bush-league
• crummy
• crumby
• deficient
• dissatisfactory
• ill
• inferior
• lame
• lousy
• off
• paltry
• poor
• punk
• sour
• suboptimal
• subpar
• substandard
• unsatisfactory
• wack [slang]
• wanting
• wretched
• wrong

Examples of unacceptable in a Sentence

a word that is unacceptable in formal English

Some of her ideas were unacceptable to other people.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rangers: After winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year, the Rangers viewed a conference final loss to the eventual champions as an unacceptable result. —Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024

Given how much aid the United States has already provided to Ukraine, there is not much room for Washington to expand the flow of arms quantitatively, and further qualitative increases would entail unacceptable escalation risks. —Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024

The intrusion is a very significant one and an extraordinarily impactful one and an absolutely unacceptable one. —CBS News, 22 Dec. 2024

Statements are heard 'how is this possible,' 'this is unacceptable' ... —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unacceptable

adjective

un·​ac·​cept·​able ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl 

-ak-

: not acceptable : not pleasing or welcome

unacceptably

-blē 

adverb