unacceptable

adjective

un·​ac·​cept·​able ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
-ak-
Synonyms of unacceptablenext
: not acceptable : not pleasing or welcome
unacceptability
ˌən-ik-ˌsep-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
noun
unacceptably
ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-blē How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of unacceptable

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Examples of unacceptable in a Sentence

a word that is unacceptable in formal English Some of her ideas were unacceptable to other people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yes, Stokes’ late night out, in the context of what went on before, was unacceptable. — Nasser Hussain, New York Times, 23 June 2026 And that's something that's unacceptable. — ABC News, 28 June 2026 In their grievance letter, the detainees called the markups an unacceptable business practice with no apparent limit. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Fabian reported the threats to the police, and to Polymarket, which said that threatening a journalist was unacceptable and banned the accounts involved. — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unacceptable

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unacceptable was in the 15th century

Rhymes for unacceptable

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Browse Nearby Words

unaccented
unacceptable
unacceptance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unacceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unacceptable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unacceptable

adjective
un·​ac·​cept·​able ˌən-ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
-ak-
: not acceptable : not pleasing or welcome
unacceptably
-blē How to pronounce unacceptable (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unacceptable

Nglish: Translation of unacceptable for Spanish Speakers

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