undesirable

USAGE SUMMARY

'undesirable' is a perfectly valid and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe something that is not wanted or not suitable. For example, "The new policy resulted in an undesirable outcome for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pre-registering scientific articles in this way helps to protect against a number of undesirable practices (such as p-hacking and HARKing) that can exaggerate statistical findings and make non-existent effects seem real.

The Guardian

The well-off are not only protecting their areas from new homes, they are also pushing undesirable developments into poorer neighbourhoods.

The Guardian

If Erdoğan or his aides do not call the top managers and editors of the media to publish propaganda or censor undesirable content, the owners themselves do it.

The Guardian - Opinion

When you're 15, Cinderella stories, too, seem hopelessly dated; and to be confronted with Elizabeth, a pantomime Ugly Sister, on the shelf and in drag, waiting for the "baronet-blood", which never came, and Mary, a constant complainer stuck in the shires with a huntin', fishin', shootin' husband, was as undesirable as having to get to know the Cinders who did all the dull jobs and was "only Anne".

The Guardian - Books

"It was the issue of maintaining relationships with desirable or undesirable characters".

The Guardian

The price of success is to become undesirable, for actors as for the queen herself.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "That is entirely understandable; it is undesirable and it is unsustainable".

The Guardian

Tootsie-chic The undesirable look achieved by pairing a posh frock with glasses, according to Tina Fey.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The fact that Americans are outraged by oppressive governments, but lack a realistic theory of how stable governments come into being, means that it is easy to generate political support for attacking undesirable states and organisations, but hard to generate support for building anything to replace them.

The Economist

In such places its strategy was "could, should, must" (explain why independence is possible, why it is desirable and why the alternative is undesirable).

The Economist

Early retirement and careful political vetting thins the upper ranks, presumably eliminating those with undesirable views.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undesirable", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "unwelcome" or "unsuitable" may be more precise depending on the context.

Common error

While "undesirable" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound generic. Opt for more specific and impactful alternatives like "detrimental" or "counterproductive" to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

Undesirable primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something as not wanted, pleasing, or suitable. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage aligns with standard grammatical rules. For example, "undesirable practices" or "undesirable consequences."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undesirable" is a versatile adjective used to describe something as unwanted or unsuitable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage. It appears most frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions, maintaining a neutral register. When using "undesirable", it's important to consider the specific nuance you intend to convey, as alternatives like "unwelcome", "unsuitable", or "objectionable" may be more precise depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwelcome

Indicates something is not gladly received or wanted; emphasizes a lack of acceptance.

unwanted

Directly expresses that something is not desired; focuses on a lack of desire.

objectionable

Suggests something is likely to cause protest or disapproval; emphasizes causing offense.

unsuitable

Indicates something is not appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation; emphasizes a mismatch.

unacceptable

Implies something cannot be tolerated or allowed; emphasizes a violation of standards.

detrimental

Highlights the harmful or damaging effects of something; emphasizes negative consequences.

disagreeable

Refers to something unpleasant or offensive; focuses on causing discomfort or displeasure.

regrettable

Suggests something is unfortunate and causes sorrow or disappointment; emphasizes a sense of loss.

unfavorable

Indicates something is not advantageous or likely to lead to a positive outcome; emphasizes negative prospects.

problematic

Suggests something presents difficulties or challenges; emphasizes a source of trouble.

FAQs

How can I use "undesirable" in a sentence?

You can use "undesirable" to describe something that is not wanted or suitable, such as, "The new policy resulted in an "undesirable" outcome for the company."

What can I say instead of "undesirable"?

You can use alternatives like "unwelcome", "unwanted", or "objectionable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "undesirable effects" or "undesired effects"?

Both "undesirable effects" and "undesired effects" are grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different meanings. "Undesirable" suggests the effects are objectionable or harmful, while "undesired" simply means the effects were not wanted.

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

"Undesirable" generally implies something is unwanted or objectionable, while "unfavorable" suggests something is not advantageous or likely to lead to a positive outcome. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing a lack of desirability or a lack of advantage.