unpalatable

adjective

ˌən-ˈpa-lə-tə-bəl How to pronounce unpalatable (audio)
Definition of unpalatablenext
1
as in unappetizing
disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste pasta and honey is an unpalatable combination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses hesitated before sharing some of the more unpalatable details of his captivity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unpalatable Allowing Iran to continue to control the crucial waterway is likely to be highly unpalatable to Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026 Dry fields are also vulnerable to noxious weeds like leafy spurge and toadflax, which are toxic to cattle and unpalatable to native ungulates like deer and pronghorn antelope. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026 Making a disgusted face at the unpalatable baseball that’s already been played is the only logical thing to do. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026 Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants a piece of the action, although an Israeli route may be unpalatable to many countries in the region that blame Israel for helping spark the war. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unpalatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpalatable
  1. unappetizing
  2. unpleasant
  3. distasteful
  4. unpleasing
  5. horrible
  6. harsh
  7. bad
  8. unsavory
Adjective
  • The sugars react during high-heat cooking, causing potatoes to brown excessively and develop an unappetizing dark color or blotchy brown patches.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Unfortunately, that also unleashed endless talk, not only about restaurants, but also about diets, nutrition, gastric symptoms, preferences, prohibitions and other unappetizing subjects.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 27 July 2026
Definition of unappetizing
Adjective
  • Wyman was a happy warrior — often partisan, but rarely unpleasant.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The day’s unpleasant winds eventually drive us indoors to the nearby, and aptly named, John’s Coffee Shop.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • For some, evoking death and sacrifice was perplexing and distasteful; a step too far.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026
  • South Florida beaches have been inundated by waves of sargassum in recent weeks — while visually distasteful to some, the seaweed is not usually harmful to humans, and occupies a critical niche in marine ecosystems.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Definition of distasteful
Adjective
  • The identity of the unpleasing Lindsay Marriott’s slayer has no pressing interest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of unpleasing
Adjective
  • After years of seeing enough photos of fabulous wealth and horrible tragedy, these types of images cease to shock us.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But the horrible jobs data suggests the central bank may have to think about weakening consumer spending as well.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • The plan would sanction top Russian leaders and introduce harsh new penalties on nations that purchase oil and natural gas from Russia.
    — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Lebson and Richards ⁠denied that ​allegation, saying that Robert Gilman was held in extremely harsh conditions, tortured and injected with mind-altering drugs by guards, treatment ​that led to his transfer to the civilian hospital.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Sensing a disconnect or worse, a feeling of being forgotten, Campbell this summer invited some of the men who wrote those letters to campus.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Dry weather periods are expected in Colorado, and wildfires tend to be worse during these times.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • The truth is my friend has some very unsavory traits that make people want to tell him no.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Burpless cucumbers, which are bred to minimize this potentially unsavory risk.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsavory

Browse Nearby Words

unpalatability
unpalatable
unparalleled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unpalatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpalatable. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All