Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not acceptable; not welcome: Describes something that cannot be approved, agreed to, or tolerated.
   • Not adequate to give satisfaction: Describes something that is insufficient or unsatisfactory.
   • Not conforming to standard usage: Describes a word or phrase that violates established linguistic norms.
   • Used of persons or their behavior: Describes behavior that is impossible to endure or insufferable.

Usage Examples

• General Use:
  • The proposal was deemed unacceptable by the committee.
  • Such rudeness is completely unacceptable in this workplace.
• Regarding Standards or Quality:
  • The level of errors in the report is unacceptable.
  • Defeat was an unacceptable outcome for the team.
• Regarding Language:
  • The panel of linguists judged that use of the word 'access' as a verb was unacceptable.
• Regarding Behavior:
  • He was fired for unacceptable conduct towards his colleagues.

Advanced Usage

• "to find something unacceptable": To judge or consider something to be not acceptable.
  • The community found the new policy unacceptable.
• "to render something unacceptable": To cause something to become not acceptable.
  • The safety flaws rendered the design unacceptable.

Variants and Related Words

• Unacceptably (adverb): In an unacceptable manner.
  • The system performed unacceptably slow.
• Unacceptability (noun): The state or quality of being unacceptable.
  • The unacceptability of the terms led to a breakdown in negotiations.

Synonyms

• Intolerable: Too bad or severe to be accepted or endured.
• Unsatisfactory: Not good enough; inadequate.
• Impermissible: Not permitted or allowed.
• Objectionable: Arousing disapproval or protest.

Antonyms

• Acceptable: Able to be agreed on; suitable.
• Satisfactory: Meeting expectations or needs; acceptable.
• Permissible: Allowed; permitted.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Beyond the pale: Unacceptable or outside the bounds of morality, courtesy, or custom. (This is a related concept, not a direct idiom with the word "unacceptable").
  • His comments were beyond the pale.

Adjective

1. not conforming to standard usage; `You can access your cash at any of 300 automatic tellers'"
   • the following use of `access' was judged unacceptable by a panel of linguists
2. used of persons or their behavior
   • impossible behavior
   • insufferable insolence
3. not acceptable; not welcome
   • a word unacceptable in polite society
   • an unacceptable violation of personal freedom
4. not adequate to give satisfaction
   • the coach told his players that defeat was unacceptable