unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
unhealthier; unhealthiest
Synonyms of unhealthynext
1
: not conducive to health : not healthful
an unhealthy climate
unhealthy habits
unhealthy foods
2
: not in good health : sickly, diseased
unhealthy animals
3
a
: risky, unsound
an unhealthy economy
b
: of a harmful nature : bad, injurious
unhealthy eating habits
unhealthy levels of lead
c
: involving or causing feelings or thoughts that are not normal and healthy
an unhealthy relationship
has an unhealthy interest in natural disasters
unhealthily
ˌən-ˈhel-thə-lē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
adverb
unhealthiness
ˌən-ˈhel-thē-nəs How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of unhealthy

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Examples of unhealthy in a Sentence

Her skin looks blotchy and unhealthy. Tests revealed an unhealthy level of lead in the water. Eating honey can be unhealthy for babies. He was stuck in an unhealthy relationship. She has an unhealthy interest in natural disasters.
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.
Air quality in the Marysvale area is expected to reach unhealthy levels by the afternoon and evening. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 27 June 2026 Omega-3 supplements alone may not improve brain health, especially if paired with an unhealthy lifestyle. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 26 June 2026 After more than a decade as a reviewer, Jason Bennett has an unhealthy love for rogue-like survival games and terrible puns. — Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026 Red meat—especially when it's processed—can be high in sodium, unhealthy saturated fats, and other potentially harmful compounds. — Mark Gurarie, Health, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unhealthy

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unhealthy was in 1595

Rhymes for unhealthy

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Browse Nearby Words

unhealthiness
unhealthy
unheard
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

unhealthy

adjective
un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
1
: not conducive to good health : not healthful
an unhealthy climate
2
: not in good health : sickly, diseased
3
a
: risky, unsound
an unhealthy economy
b
: injurious, bad
unhealthily
-thə-lē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
adverb
unhealthiness
-thē-nəs How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

unhealthy

adjective
un·​healthy -ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
unhealthier; unhealthiest
1
: not conducive to health
an unhealthy climate
2
: not in good health : sickly
unhealthiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unhealthy

Nglish: Translation of unhealthy for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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