as in unpleasant
bad, harmful, or unpleasant
The drug has some undesirable side effects. This decision may have undesirable consequences.
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Recent Examples of undesirable
Elimination from the Champions League, though undesirable, may actually have a positive knock-on effect, providing free midweeks for the remainder of the season.
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
More than 50 percent of cat owners report undesirable scratching.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
In Paladino’s case, the rationale is distaste for density and perceived undesirable new tenants.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
For example, putting lots more residents on the outskirts of urban cores can result in more clogged freeways and undesirable commuting times.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undesirable
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
More than 50 percent of cat owners report undesirable scratching.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
In Paladino’s case, the rationale is distaste for density and perceived undesirable new tenants.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
For example, putting lots more residents on the outskirts of urban cores can result in more clogged freeways and undesirable commuting times.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undesirable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undesirable
Adjective
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That said, whole-virus vaccines can cause more unpleasant side effects, and in rare cases, weakened live pathogens can redevelop infectious capability.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
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Like, what would make this already unpleasant environment even spicier?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Helium enables smooth production of semiconductors since the gas prevents unwanted chemical reactions in the manufacturing process.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
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Gloria Endreo, an MSF midwife, said the team saw an average of 10 to 15 women daily, with most of them coming after the initial 72 hours, which are considered a critical period for treating injuries and trauma, avoiding infections and preventing unwanted pregnancies.—
Evelyne Musambi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is going to be a horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad day.—
Nathan Rott,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
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In another case, a 10-year-old girl contracted horrible lesions on 10 percent of her body — mostly on her legs — after contact with giant hogweed.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The culprit is a nasty invasive plant, which became one of the most popular landscape trees available − the Bradford pear.—
Campbell Vaughn,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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Weather officials warned of a warm front moving through north central and northeast Illinois possibly creating nasty weather of thunderstorms, damaging winds and large hail.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undesirable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undesirable. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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