How to Use unsuccessful in a Sentence

unsuccessful

adjective
  • His last novel was unsuccessful.
  • Rescue crews in boats tried to reach the house but were unsuccessful.
    — Marissa Parra, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024
  • The city has tried to foreclose on the mall, but it's been unsuccessful.
    — Genevieve Redsten, Journal Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2022
  • Both teams had one power play apiece in the first, both of which were unsuccessful.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
  • But boycotts against the rom-com have, so far, been unsuccessful.
    — Haley Strack, National Review, 26 Nov. 2023
  • Ripa tried to find the woman who gave her the note but was unsuccessful.
    — Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2022
  • There are still drill marks that people tried to get into it but were unsuccessful.
    — Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 1 May 2026
  • Something may work for a little while but then prove to be unsuccessful.
    — Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Something may work for a little while but then prove to be unsuccessful.
    — Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The site has been used for other launches in the past, many of which were unsuccessful.
    — Nic Robertson, CNN, 15 June 2022
  • The Sailors tried the same play twice in the fourth quarter but were unsuccessful.
    — Wright Wilson, Detroit Free Press, 25 Mar. 2023
  • Their last-effort bids to find a buyer have so far proven unsuccessful.
    — Barry Jackson, Sun Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Jones was unsuccessful in his efforts to get the case dismissed.
    — Hojun Choi, Dallas News, 28 Mar. 2023
  • But their efforts have, so far, been unsuccessful.
    — Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The driver tried to avoid hitting the man but was unsuccessful.
    — Annasofia Scheve, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • At the time of writing, attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.
    — Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 30 June 2023
  • Attempts to change the status quo have been scarce and unsuccessful.
    — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 13 Dec. 2023
  • How many have been unsuccessful?
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • On his lone unsuccessful challenge, in the bottom of the sixth, the pitch missed by eight-tenths of an inch.
    — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
  • His only unsuccessful one had been saved.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • The attempts have so far been unsuccessful.
    — CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Attempts to reach his wife were unsuccessful.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 23 May 2026
  • Trump and his legal team then tried every avenue to stop the count but were unsuccessful each time.
    — CNN, 13 Oct. 2022
  • The homeowner told police that three men tried to break down his door but were unsuccessful and left.
    — Bradford Betz, Fox News, 28 Dec. 2023
  • Those efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
    — Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Those attempts have been unsuccessful so far.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Efforts to reach the parent of the student who filmed the video were unsuccessful.
    — al, 17 Nov. 2021
  • Attempts to reach the suspects or their lawyers were unsuccessful.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • If the call stands, the challenge is unsuccessful and the team loses that challenge.
    — Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Rutherford tried to get the judge to amend the decision, but was unsuccessful.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsuccessful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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