unpleasant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unpleasant' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not agreeable or satisfactory, or to describe a situation that is not comfortable or enjoyable. Example sentence: The smell from the trash bin was most unpleasant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I couldn't say with absolute certainty that he is deliberately setting out to be regarded as the most unpleasant man in the business, but he is certainly making a good fist of it.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, he's saving the day but there's something unpleasant about taking over another person's body in that way.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We also have reservations, with others on the left, about mixing in a big tent with religious bigots who have unpleasant views on homosexuals and women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, it's an unpleasant mouthful, but it got written down one day and now we're stuck with it.

The Guardian

Either I'm completely unable to tell if a book is appealing to children or not, or my son has got a really unpleasant taste in fiction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it turns out he's more unpleasant than she previously thought, to the extent that it might put their latest project in some not-inconsiderable jeopardy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Related: Ukip MP Douglas Carswell surrounded by anti-austerity protesters in London He has written about his unpleasant experience at this week's anti-austerity protest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of the attacks on Ed were unpleasant and unfair and I think he dealt with them with enormous dignity and with courage".

The Guardian

Jonathan Jones's article on Penelope Curtis, outgoing director of Tate Britain, (misogynist subtext?) is a highly unpleasant attack on a formidable scholar and curator.

The Guardian - Arts

"I'm not voting for Nightcrawler — that was really unpleasant," says one.

The Guardian - Film

The UK government has been the chief agent for bringing the parties together and negotiating the way to peace, though as Peter Hain admitted recently, unpleasant corners have had to be turned on the road to the current situation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experiences, use "unpleasant" to convey a sense of discomfort or dissatisfaction without being overly dramatic. It's more moderate than "horrible" or "awful".

Common error

While "unpleasant" is acceptable in most contexts, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem monotonous. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "undesirable" or "distasteful" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unpleasant" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something not agreeable or satisfactory. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "unpleasant" describes experiences, people, and situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unpleasant" is a common and versatile adjective used to describe things that are not agreeable or satisfactory. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While "unpleasant" is generally acceptable, being mindful of the writing context will help you to select more appropriate synonyms, such as "distasteful" or "undesirable", to enhance clarity and impact. Remember that overuse may cause your tone seem monotonous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagreeable

This alternative focuses on the lack of agreement or harmony, highlighting a sense of discordance.

undesirable

This term emphasizes that something is not wanted or wished for, indicating a negative preference.

distasteful

This suggests something is offensive or offends one's sense of taste or decency.

objectionable

This alternative points out something that can be opposed or protested against due to being offensive or inappropriate.

unwelcome

This emphasizes that something is not gladly received or appreciated, indicating a lack of hospitality.

annoying

This term indicates something that causes irritation or exasperation.

irritating

Similar to 'annoying', this focuses on causing frustration or impatience.

nasty

This alternative suggests something is highly disagreeable or offensive, implying a moral or ethical component.

offensive

This indicates something that causes someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed.

unpalatable

This describes something that is not agreeable to the taste or mind, suggesting a lack of satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "unpleasant" in a sentence?

You can use "unpleasant" to describe something that is not agreeable or satisfactory. For example, "The smell from the trash bin was most unpleasant."

What are some alternatives to the word "unpleasant"?

You can use alternatives like "disagreeable", "undesirable", or "distasteful" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "unpleasant" in formal writing?

Yes, "unpleasant" is generally correct in formal writing, but consider using synonyms like "undesirable" or "inconvenient" for variety and precision.

What's the difference between "unpleasant" and "offensive"?

"Unpleasant" describes something not agreeable, while "offensive" describes something that causes someone to feel resentful or upset. "Offensive" is typically stronger and more emotionally charged than "unpleasant".