UNHEALTHY Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

unhealthy

adjective

ˌən-ˈhel-thē

Definition of unhealthy

as in poisonous

bad for the well-being of the body we knew that the junk food at the carnival was unhealthy, but it tasted so good!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury criticism of the military dictatorship has proved to be unhealthy for several of that nation's journalists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sick

temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body she's been unhealthy for almost a week now

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of unhealthy Research shows that parentified children are more prone to forming unhealthy attachments. — Parents, 17 Oct. 2026 Southern food may have a reputation for being heavy and unhealthy, but celebrity chef Tiffany Derry says that stereotype misses a big part of what's traditionally been served on tables across the South. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 The city said in a statement that the concentration of pollutants averaged 196 micrograms per cubic meter, which is considered an unhealthy level way above the normal range of about 3 to 9. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 The crime genre almost demands a main character with an unhealthy work-life balance. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unhealthy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhealthy

Adjective

Now, a poisonous residue on the same crowbar has left him incapacitated.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
This low-temperature, low-pressure hydrometallurgical method removes arsenic cleanly and operates without fossil fuels or poisonous gas emissions.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of poisonous

Adjective

In November 2021, crew members took shelter inside their spacecraft after a Russian anti-satellite weapons test created a dangerous cloud of debris.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
In 2015, Chicago’s public health department identified three cases of invasive meningococcal disease, a highly dangerous pathogen that can kill within hours.

— Julie Morita, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

And users can report inaccurate, toxic or harmful content by clicking the thumbs down icon shown at the bottom of the response.

— Robin Brewer, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Aside from the immediate vocal strain and airway inflammation noted by otolaryngologists, major health institutions warn that regular vaping exposes the body to a cocktail of toxic chemicals, cardiovascular strain and respiratory risks.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of toxic

Adjective

If enough collisions occur, certain orbital regions could become extremely hazardous for future missions.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Today, the vast majority of this hazardous waste remains locked in temporary storage facilities across the globe.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

The album’s experimental bent is also what keeps the music from slipping into parody or, even worse, po-faced sincerity.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
Judges failing to award fees and government agencies unreasonably resisting paying them make the problem even worse.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

Warnings of unhealthful air quality remained in effect Saturday across a wide swath of the United States due to smoke from Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze for days.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026
The soil may contain pathogens, pesticides and other unhealthful things.

— Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2026

Definition of unhealthful

Adjective

Revenue bonds are generally viewed as riskier than other types of government bonds, in part because they’re backed by the promise of revenue from a specific project — in this case, payment by individual borrowers.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The pain has been felt most acutely in the riskier credits with high-yield spreads rising about 70 basis points since late September.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of risky

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unhealthiness

unhealthy

unheard-of

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“Unhealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhealthy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unhealthy

adjective

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