unfavorably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfavorably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a negative or disadvantageous perspective or outcome regarding a situation or subject. Example: "The new policy was received unfavorably by the employees, leading to widespread discontent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three out of every five Americans views Donald Trump unfavorably, according to Gallup's most recent two-week average for all of the candidates.

Independent

No candidate in the past 25 years has been viewed more unfavorably by Americans (Democrat, Republican and independent) than Donald Trump.

Independent

Some speculated that Rousey's rising profile was to blame for the loss, that her attention was divided unfavorably between her training and her new obligations as a public face.

The New Yorker

A patron compared her Union Street Collins (vodka, hibiscus-clove simple syrup, lemon, bitters, seltzer) not unfavorably to Now and Laters.

The New Yorker

According to the Huffington Post's polling average, forty-nine per cent of Americans think favorably of Biden, and 37.1 per cent think unfavorably of him.

The New Yorker

Her voice still retains its power and expressiveness, but it frequently refuses… Column about the fact that British war correspondents, just back from covering the Falkland Islands conflict, have compared their lot unfavorably with the experience of… OUR NORTHEASTERN CORRESPONDENTS about the writer's friend Richard Waters, who, until recently, owned 448 shares of Conoco stock.

The New Yorker

A few months ago, as he was driving around the city, Bloomberg was struck, unfavorably, by the amount of garbage he saw on the streets.

The New Yorker

The only question is: how bad? Midterms usually turn out unfavorably for the incumbent party, and this year there are two time-specific factors favoring the Republican challengers: a friendly political map and an unpopular President with an approval rating in the low forties.

The New Yorker

A Duveen agent went to the palazzo to look at Berenson's recommendations, and reported unfavorably on the Duccio.

The New Yorker

He compares Obama unfavorably with Bush, who "had no second thoughts about Iraq, including our decision to invade".

The New Yorker

There is a growing gap between those reggions which are flourishing because of economic integration & those which have not been touched by it or have been affected unfavorably.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfavorably", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being viewed or compared negatively. Providing specific reasons or evidence strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

While "unfavorably" is appropriate in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider using more nuanced synonyms like "critically" or "adversely" for greater precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "unfavorably" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating that an action is performed or a quality is assessed in a negative or disadvantageous manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this adverb is commonly used to express disapproval or a negative comparison. Ludwig AI examples show how "unfavorably" is used to describe opinions, comparisons, and outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "unfavorably" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term for expressing negative assessments or comparisons. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. The phrase indicates that something is being viewed with disapproval or is being compared negatively to something else. To enhance clarity, specify the reasons behind the unfavorable view. While generally acceptable, "unfavorably" may sometimes be replaced with synonyms like "negatively" or "critically" in formal writing for greater precision. The high source quality and consistent usage patterns contribute to a strong expert rating, solidifying its reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Negatively

This alternative directly replaces "unfavorably" with a synonym expressing a negative viewpoint.

Critically

This term emphasizes a judgmental or disapproving perspective, similar to "unfavorably".

Adversely

This suggests a harmful or detrimental impact, akin to viewing something "unfavorably" due to its negative effects.

In a negative light

This phrase rephrases the concept of viewing something "unfavorably" using a more descriptive expression.

With disapproval

This emphasizes the lack of approval or agreement, reflecting a similar sentiment to "unfavorably".

With prejudice

This indicates a biased or preconceived negative opinion, which can lead to viewing something "unfavorably".

Poorly

This provides a simple, direct synonym that focuses on the deficient quality being assessed "unfavorably".

To its disadvantage

This highlights that a comparison or assessment results in a negative outcome for the subject.

In a bad way

This informal option suggests a negative condition or outcome, mirroring the sentiment of "unfavorably".

Unattractively

This highlights the undesirable qualities that lead to an "unfavorable" assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "unfavorably" in a sentence?

You can use "unfavorably" to describe how something is viewed or compared in a negative way. For example, "The policy was received "unfavorably" by the public."

What are some alternatives to using "unfavorably"?

Alternatives include "negatively", "critically", or "adversely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "unfavorably" in formal writing?

While "unfavorably" is generally acceptable, consider whether a more precise synonym might be more effective in formal contexts. Words like "critically" or "adversely" may offer greater nuance.

What's the difference between "unfavorably" and "negatively"?

"Unfavorably" often implies a comparison or assessment, whereas "negatively" simply indicates a negative impact or viewpoint. For example, a candidate might be viewed "unfavorably" compared to another, while a decision might affect the economy "negatively".