disagreeable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'disagreeable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is unpleasant, difficult to deal with, or annoying. For example: The new neighbor was quite disagreeable; she seemed to always be in a bad mood and was always making rude comments.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Look, you can disagree without being disagreeable.

The Guardian

He claimed to be ready for compromise with the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, offering to "mix and match" ideas and, where necessary, disagree without being disagreeable.

The Economist

I often disagree, but I don't take delight in being disagreeable.

The Guardian

While I've managed to avoid the malaria, dengue fever and tuberculosis that's riddled my (male) colleagues, there are 101 things that make the rainforest a rather disagreeable place.

The Guardian

"Higher testosterone is seen as disagreeable and uncooperative, so when you ask people to rate feminine and masculine faces for short-and long-term relationships, you get different preferences.

The Guardian - Film

Nearly a quarter of Hungarian adults said they found Hungarian Jews "disagreeable" in a recent survey, up from 10-14% in 2006.

The Economist

Most important, it produces a reasonably fair solution to the problem of what to do about the 12m or so illegal immigrants already in America, most of them working hard at low-paid and disagreeable jobs.

The Economist

But heeding disagreeable election results is for wimps, judging by the attitude of Kenya's Mwai Kibaki or Zimbabwe's Mr Mugabe.

The Economist

When measured by titles, the trend is not so clear, with a majority "agree" articles (category 1) when measured over the last two months but more "disagree" (category 2) when taking the last 7 days alone.You guys, on the other hand, are quite disagreeable.

The Economist

As social media drag office life online, mismanaged firms and disagreeable co-workers may need a rebrand, too.

The Economist

Known as hana densha (flower trains), they offer a haven from the gropers who make rush hour in Tokyo so disagreeable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person, consider using "disagreeable" to indicate a consistently unpleasant or difficult demeanor. This highlights a pattern of behavior, not just a temporary mood.

Common error

While "disagreeable" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations where simpler words like "unpleasant" or "annoying" might be more appropriate. Preserve "disagreeable" for more formal or nuanced descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "disagreeable" primarily functions to describe a noun, indicating that it possesses undesirable qualities. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English, with examples ranging from describing unpleasant tastes to difficult personalities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disagreeable" functions as an adjective to describe something unpleasant or difficult, with Ludwig AI confirming its correctness and wide applicability. It's very common in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral level of formality. When writing, consider that this word suggests a consistent unpleasantness, and synonyms like "unpleasant" or "annoying" may fit better in casual settings. Source quality is generally high, suggesting reliable and authoritative usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpleasant

Focuses on the unpleasantness of something, either to the senses or the mind.

objectionable

Emphasizes that something is likely to cause objection; inappropriate.

offensive

Highlights the potential to cause someone to feel resentful or upset.

unpalatable

Specifically refers to something unacceptable or distasteful, often metaphorical.

irritating

Describes something that causes annoyance or frustration.

vexatious

Suggests something causing distress or annoyance.

irksome

Similar to irritating but often implies a petty annoyance.

distasteful

Focuses on something unappealing or repugnant to one's taste or sensibilities.

uncongenial

Emphasizes a lack of compatibility or friendliness.

repugnant

Indicates a strong feeling of disgust or aversion.

FAQs

How can I use "disagreeable" in a sentence?

You can use "disagreeable" to describe something unpleasant or someone with an unpleasant attitude. For example: "The medicine had a disagreeable taste", or "He was a disagreeable man who always complained".

What words are similar to "disagreeable"?

Alternatives include "unpleasant", "offensive", or "objectionable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to describe someone as "disagreeable" or "unpleasant"?

"Disagreeable" often suggests a more consistent or ingrained unpleasantness, whereas "unpleasant" can refer to a temporary state or a single instance. Choose the word that best reflects the situation.

What is the difference between "disagreeable" and "argumentative"?

"Disagreeable" implies an unpleasant or difficult nature, while "argumentative" suggests a tendency to engage in arguments or debates. A person can be disagreeable without being argumentative, and vice versa.