unpalatable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unpalatable" is quite correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is unpleasant to taste or hard to accept or agree with. For example: "The new conditions for the contract were unpalatable to the client, and he refused to agree to them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For much of the season the Premier League – for all its fit-to-burst bloatedness and uncompetitiveness, its premium-rate charges and occasionally unpalatable odours – asphyxiates other sports, except during Olympic years.

The Guardian - Sport

So there is an unreal, videogame quality to it, a sense of the PR man's gloss on the unpalatable limits of a fragile economic recovery.

The Guardian - Opinion

But there was no process in which priorities that sounded unpalatable were struck out.

The Guardian

One columnist even suggested the Dowler family might have found his cross-examination particularly unpalatable because he resembled his client.

The Guardian

This may seem unpalatable to some, but it is nothing less than the truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

The unpalatable truth is that you get the democracy you pay for: if we do not pay for elections as a public good, then big donors will always have their interests put above the voters', politicians will have to turn to them first, and we will continue to see "big money" dominate the halls of power.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prospect of the government being forced to make unpalatable concessions, overhauling the pension system and eroding workers' rights, in addition to further taxes on property and goods, has been greeted with despondency and despair.

The Guardian

From the mouths of babes, sucklings and breakfast show presenters – as the Bible might have said – come unpalatable truths.

The Guardian

He was defiant as he published his reforms: "It would be completely irresponsible to change my diagnosis because the prescription is unpalatable and hard for some elected members to accept".

The Guardian - Business

A tough set of proposals was drawn up, including demands for VAT, pension and wage bargaining reform that the troika knew Greece would find unpalatable.

The Guardian - Business

It remains to be seen next week how much of this Tea Party-type of thinking filters through into the Republican's national platform document, but the statements above certainly provide a somewhat unpalatable hors d'oeuvre.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing policies or decisions, use "unpalatable" to convey that while necessary, they are likely to be unpopular or difficult to accept.

Common error

Avoid using "unpalatable" in casual conversation about food preferences; simpler terms like "I don't like it" or "it tastes bad" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Unpalatable functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is either unpleasant to the taste or difficult to accept. Ludwig AI validates this function, confirming its suitability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unpalatable" is an adjective used to describe something unpleasant, whether in taste or figuratively in acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts. Its formality ranges from neutral to formal, making it suitable for news, business, and academic settings. While synonyms like "distasteful" and "disagreeable" exist, "unpalatable" specifically conveys the challenging nature of accepting something necessary yet undesirable. Use it judiciously to express disapproval in a refined manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distasteful

Emphasizes the unpleasantness to one's taste or moral sense.

disagreeable

Focuses on the unpleasantness in terms of character or mood.

unpleasant

A more general term for something not enjoyable or agreeable.

offensive

Highlights the quality of causing someone to feel resentful or annoyed.

objectionable

Stresses the quality of being something to which one might object.

repugnant

Indicates something extremely distasteful or unacceptable.

nauseating

Focuses on the quality of causing a feeling of sickness or disgust.

revolting

Implies a strong feeling of disgust and revulsion.

bitter pill to swallow

An idiom expressing that something is unpleasant but must be accepted.

hard to accept

Directly conveys the difficulty in agreeing with or believing something.

FAQs

How can I use "unpalatable" in a sentence?

You can use "unpalatable" to describe something unpleasant to taste or difficult to accept. For example, "The new regulations presented an "unpalatable choice" for many businesses".

What are some alternatives to "unpalatable"?

Alternatives include "distasteful", "disagreeable", or "unpleasant", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "unpalatable" if it's morally wrong, not just bad-tasting?

Yes, "unpalatable" can be used metaphorically to describe something morally offensive or difficult to accept, extending beyond just taste.

What's the difference between "unpalatable" and "repulsive"?

"Unpalatable" suggests something is merely unpleasant or difficult to accept, while "repulsive" implies a stronger feeling of disgust or revulsion.