unenviable

adjective

un·​en·​vi·​able ˌən-ˈen-vē-ə-bəl How to pronounce unenviable (audio)
Synonyms of unenviablenext
: not desirable or pleasant : not arousing envy : not enviable
an unenviable position
Kent Alterman, our director, had the unenviable task of herding cats.Will Ferrell

Examples of unenviable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The atmosphere in Cortina remains subdued, with Austria's Mirjam Puchner having the unenviable task of heading down the hill after Vonn's crash. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026 Lanier and her security teams have an unenviable task, said Corri Zoli, a researcher at Syracuse University’s Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute. Terry Collins, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026 No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around. Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026 Despite their clear affection for these women, the Dardenne brothers never sugarcoat their characters’ unenviable circumstance or latch onto phony bromides to alleviate our anxiety. Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unenviable

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unenviable was in 1641

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Cite this Entry

“Unenviable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unenviable. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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