unflattering

adjective

un·​flat·​ter·​ing ˌən-ˈfla-tə-riŋ How to pronounce unflattering (audio)
Synonyms of unflatteringnext
: not flattering
an unflattering portrait
especially : unfavorable
unflattering remarks
unflatteringly
ˌən-ˈfla-tə-riŋ-lē How to pronounce unflattering (audio)
adverb

Examples of unflattering in a Sentence

She was wearing the most unflattering outfit.
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.
The two appeared together this month at the developer’s luxury shopping mall in the Pacific Palisades in what amounted to an unlikely reunion given Caruso’s unflattering assessment of her leadership. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026 Their involvement doesn’t spare them unflattering moments; plenty of characters are shown behaving strangely, badly, or both. — Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026 The Social Network stripped that mythology away and put Zuckerberg in an unflattering spotlight for the first time. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 To emphasize the ghoulishness, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki shoots the president and his advisors in unflattering low angles with a formaldehyde sheen. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unflattering

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unflattering was in 1581

Rhymes for unflattering

See All Rhymes for unflattering

Browse Nearby Words

unflashy
unflattering
unflatteringly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unflattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unflattering. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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