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unfavorable
/ʌnˈfeɪvərəbəl/
negative or disadvantageous
The weather conditions were unfavorable for outdoor activities.
The weather was bad and made it difficult to do things outside.
formal
Expressing or showing disapproval or opposition.
The committee gave an unfavorable response to the proposal.
The committee did not approve of the proposal.
Often used in formal contexts like reviews, reports, or official decisions.
general
Not conducive to success; adverse.
The company faced unfavorable market conditions.
The market was not favorable for the company's success.
Commonly used in business, finance, and general contexts to describe situations or conditions.
Law
legal
Unfavorable (of a verdict or judgment) indicating disapproval or a negative outcome.
The judge delivered an unfavorable verdict in the case.
The judge ruled against the plaintiff.
Used in legal contexts to describe rulings or judgments that are not in favor of a party.
Collocations
unfavorable conditionsbad or difficult circumstancesunfavorable reviewa negative assessment or critiqueunfavorable outcomea result that is not desired or positive
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Do not use 'unfavorable conditions' redundantly with 'bad conditions'—'unfavorable' already implies negativity.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'unfavorable' when the negativity is formal, deliberate, or part of an official assessment (e.g., a judge's ruling or a committee's decision).
Word Origin
From Middle English unfavourable, from Old French desfavorable, from des- (indicating reversal) + favorable (favorable).
Usage Notes
Unfavorable is a stronger term than 'negative' and often implies active disapproval or opposition. It is commonly used in formal, written contexts such as reports, reviews, or legal judgments.
Word Breakdown
un-
not
prefixfavorable
supportive or advantageous
rootEnglish Dictionary