unsatisfactory

adjective

un·​sat·​is·​fac·​to·​ry ˌən-ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce unsatisfactory (audio)
: not satisfactory
unsatisfactorily adverb
unsatisfactoriness noun

Examples of unsatisfactory in a Sentence

He was fired for unsatisfactory performance. an unsatisfactory first attempt at building a birdhouse
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.
Detractors also assert that scientists will only ever be able to engineer unsatisfactory imitations of extinct animals. Katie Hunt, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025 Traffic congestion, air, water and noise pollution, excessive plastic usage, flooding, and unsatisfactory refuse collection processes, are just some of the problems the Thai capital has to contend with. Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 Republican Congressman Ken Calvert, who represents the district containing Olivet and previously called for it to be fully investigated, said the California ruling demonstrates Olivet's unsatisfactory performance as an institution of higher learning. Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024 Two good actors — Fred Hechinger as Kraven’s younger brother and Ariana DeBose as his lawyer-ally — are left marooned in a movie that tumbles and slips to a unsatisfactory end. Mark Kennedy, Boston Herald, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsatisfactory 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsatisfactory was circa 1650

Dictionary Entries Near unsatisfactory

Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsatisfactory. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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