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.
Several proposals were put forward, most of which were unsatisfactory one way or another. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025 If the results are unsatisfactory, the model might require adjustments, such as reconfiguring algorithms, incorporating additional data features or refining the training process. Fabio Belloni, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 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 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 13 Feb. 2025.

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