• Unfavorable

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    un- + favourable

    Full definition of unfavorable

    Adjective

    unfavorable

    1. Disadvantageous, adverse, unsuitable, inconducive; serving to hinder or oppose.
      • 1863, Henry David Thoreau, Excursions, ch. 6:The shade of a dense pine wood, is more unfavorable to the springing up of pines of the same species than of oaks within it.
    2. (of a belief, state of mind, etc) Not favorable, disapproving.
      • 1860, George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, ch. 11:Yet the thing she most dreaded was to offend the gypsies, by betraying her extremely unfavorable opinion of them.
    3. (of wind or weather) Causing obstacles or delay; not conducive to travel or work; inclement.
    4. Not auspicious; ill-boding.
      • 1903, Anna Katharine Green, The Filigree Ball, ch. 6:The fact that the bride went through the ceremony without her bridal bouquet is looked upon by many as an unfavorable omen.

    Usage notes

    Nouns to which "unfavorable" is often applied: condition, circumstance, weather, climate, outcome, result, opinion, view, impression, effect, consequence, impact, influence, environment, balance, information, report, prognosis, rating, evaluation, review, position, factor, feature, aspect, reaction, response, attitude, season, development, treatment, ruling, case, state, experience, inference.

    Antonyms

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