unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

"unacceptable" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express the idea that something is not satisfactory or not up to standard. For example, "His behaviour was completely unacceptable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The status quo is unacceptable".

The New York Times

"Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.

The New York Times

"Any song that expresses an author's frustration at 'being sick of blurred lines' is beyond unacceptable".

The Guardian - Music

"This is unacceptable and distressing to those who lost friends and family.

The Guardian

But when equally unacceptable views or practices have come from someone who isn't white, we've been too cautious, frankly even fearful, to stand up to them".

The New York Times

That they had him in a room and insulted him for three hours is absolutely unacceptable," said Stamatis Vassilaros, a doctor echoing a common refrain.

The Guardian

"Everyone accepts these programmes were not effective, did not keep us safe and, even if they did, represent an unacceptable degradation of our rights".

The Guardian

Amnesty International wrote to the home secretary last month criticising the woeful response from European countries to the unacceptable scale of the loss of life from the influx of refugees and migrants on boats across the Mediterranean.

The Guardian

"I have no doubt," wrote Mr Gwynne, confidently, "that the vast majority of the public will find it profoundly unacceptable that a convicted criminal with such disregard for British justice continues to hold such an illustrious honour".

The Guardian - Opinion

"I just find that so unacceptable when I sat there and gave so many examples... when I'm worried that he's a paedophile, it should click, it shouldn't just be ignored.

The Guardian

Being told, as national head coach, who he can or cannot pick by union officials, the leading clubs or even his own players is totally unacceptable.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unacceptable", clearly state why something is unacceptable to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The delay is unacceptable because it violates the agreed-upon timeline."

Common error

Avoid using "unacceptable" as a knee-jerk reaction. Instead, provide specific reasons or consequences to support your claim. For example, instead of saying "This is unacceptable", say "This approach is unacceptable because it fails to address the core issues."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unacceptable" is as an adjective. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is not satisfactory or cannot be allowed. Ludwig shows numerous examples, highlighting its common usage in various contexts to express disapproval or rejection of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

100%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unacceptable" functions as an adjective used to express that something is not satisfactory or tolerable. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable word in written English. Its frequency of use is "very common", predominantly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "unacceptable", ensure you provide clear justification to avoid ambiguity and specify which standards or expectations are not being met. Alternatives like "intolerable" or "inadmissible" offer nuanced ways to express disapproval depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intolerable

Implies a level of suffering or difficulty that cannot be endured.

inadmissible

Suggests something cannot be allowed or accepted, often in a legal or formal context.

unsatisfactory

Indicates that something does not meet the required standards or expectations.

inappropriate

Suggests something is not suitable or fitting for a particular situation or context.

objectionable

Indicates something is likely to cause offense or raise objections.

unjustifiable

Implies there is no valid reason or excuse for something.

reprehensible

Suggests something is deserving of strong disapproval or condemnation.

out+of+line

Indicates that behavior or actions exceed the bounds of what is considered acceptable.

not+up+to+par

Suggests something fails to meet the required standard or expectation.

beyond+the+pale

Implies that something is completely outside the bounds of what is considered acceptable or moral.

FAQs

How to use "unacceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "unacceptable" to describe something that is not satisfactory or cannot be tolerated. For example, "His behavior at the meeting was completely unacceptable."

What can I say instead of "unacceptable"?

You can use alternatives like "intolerable", "inadmissible", or "unsatisfactory" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unacceptable" or "not acceptable"?

"Unacceptable" is a more concise and direct way of saying "not acceptable", though both are grammatically correct. The choice often depends on the desired tone and formality.

What's the difference between "unacceptable" and "undesirable"?

"Unacceptable" implies a stronger level of disapproval and suggests something cannot be tolerated or allowed. "Undesirable" simply means something is not wanted or preferred, but may still be tolerated.