entirely unsatisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely unsatisfactory" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is completely dissatisfying or inadequate. Example: The service at the restaurant was entirely unsatisfactory. The food was cold and the waitstaff was rude.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It has taken more than a month to investigate and the result is entirely unsatisfactory.

The Guardian - Money

IT WAS an entirely unsatisfactory, yet wholly fitting end to what had come before.

The Economist

However, the student union said the university seeking simply to distance itself from what the professor said was "entirely unsatisfactory".

The Guardian

Equally, there were other moments that fitted neatly into England's World Cup story and felt entirely unsatisfactory.

The Guardian - Sport

Grieve is responding now, he calls the position "entirely unsatisfactory" and says it goes against promises made to the house that MPs would be able to offer alternatives.

The Guardian

Upon these "children of the revolution", whose expectations were so vast, and whose experience has been so entirely unsatisfactory, he bestows an immense dignity, never sentimentalising their plight.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Then on he goes, as do we all, filling the void with words, those wholly unsatisfactory and entirely necessary filaments of human connection (and disconnection).

The New York Times

Later in the decade, our focus shifted to music, and the Doll's House made way for the Marquee Club in Wardour Street, where the likes of Jimi Hendrix would be hopelessly sold out, but where Procol Harum could be relied upon to offer a not-entirely-unsatisfactory alternative.

The Guardian - Music

This is totally unsatisfactory.

The Guardian

And that just is completely unsatisfactory.

The Washington Post

Anything else is totally unsatisfactory.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing outcomes or results, use "entirely unsatisfactory" to convey that expectations were not only unmet, but fell far short of what was required or desired.

Common error

Avoid using "entirely unsatisfactory" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone may sound overly critical or pretentious in everyday scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely unsatisfactory" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a complete lack of satisfaction or acceptability. This is validated by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entirely unsatisfactory" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a strong sense of dissatisfaction or inadequacy. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for written English. It's most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, and while versatile, it should be used judiciously in informal settings to avoid sounding overly critical. Alternatives such as "completely unacceptable" or "utterly disappointing" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to use "entirely unsatisfactory" when you want to leave no doubt about your level of dissatisfaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely unacceptable

Emphasizes the unacceptability of something rather than just its lack of satisfaction.

absolutely unacceptable

Stresses the complete lack of acceptance regarding something.

wholly inadequate

Focuses on the insufficiency or lack of qualification of something.

utterly disappointing

Highlights the feeling of disappointment caused by something.

thoroughly deficient

Stresses the completeness of the lacking or wanting aspect.

unreservedly disappointing

Emphasizes the lack of reservation in the disappointment.

totally insufficient

Indicates that something is not enough in any way.

thoroughly unfulfilling

Highlights the aspect of not providing a sense of satisfaction or completion.

plainly insufficient

Highlights the obvious lack of sufficiency.

patently deficient

Indicates the deficiency is clear and undeniable.

FAQs

How can I use "entirely unsatisfactory" in a sentence?

You can use "entirely unsatisfactory" to describe something that completely fails to meet expectations or requirements. For example, "The quality of the product was "entirely unsatisfactory", so I returned it".

What are some alternatives to "entirely unsatisfactory"?

Alternatives include "completely unacceptable", "wholly inadequate", or "utterly disappointing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "totally unsatisfactory" instead of "entirely unsatisfactory"?

Yes, "totally unsatisfactory" is a correct and commonly used alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning of complete dissatisfaction, although "entirely" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "unsatisfactory" and "entirely unsatisfactory"?

"Unsatisfactory" implies a general lack of satisfaction, while ""entirely unsatisfactory"" emphasizes the completeness of the dissatisfaction, indicating that something is completely unacceptable or inadequate.