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.
The unsatisfactory solution might just be giving up exporting to the U.S. The tit for tat imposition of tariffs and reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China puts a magnifying glass over the scope of competitive threat the Chinese auto industry to the domestic companies. Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, tens of thousands of public servants have been fired, some under the guise of unsatisfactory employee assessments, as the Trump administration works to slash the size of the federal workforce. Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025 Divorce is more stigmatized in these cultures, and individuals are less likely to seek separation, even in unsatisfactory marriages. Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 The sheer number of employees that were terminated in a matter of days belies any argument that these terminations were due to the employees' individual unsatisfactory performance or conduct... Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unsatisfactory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsatisfactory. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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