Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not favorable; negative or critical: Expressing disapproval, criticism, or a lack of support.
   • Involving disadvantage or difficulty: Creating conditions that are not advantageous; likely to cause problems or hinder progress.
   • (Of winds or weather) Opposing or hindering: Tending to impede movement or travel, especially in a nautical context.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The candidate received unfavorable reviews after the debate.
  • The company's profits were affected by unfavorable market conditions.
  • The sailors waited in port for the unfavorable winds to change.

Advanced Usage

• "Unfavorable to": Not advantageous or supportive for a particular person, group, or outcome.
  • The new tax law is unfavorable to small business owners.
• "Unfavorable for": Not suitable or conducive for a specific activity or purpose.
  • The rainy weather was unfavorable for a picnic.

Variants and Related Words

• Unfavorably (adverb): In a disapproving or disadvantageous manner.
  • The proposal was viewed unfavorably by the committee.
• Favorable (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning positive, approving, or advantageous.

Synonyms

• Adverse: Harmful or unfavorable (often used for conditions or effects).
• Negative: Expressing denial, disagreement, or criticism.
• Disadvantageous: Involving a disadvantage; not favorable.
• Inauspicious: Not conducive to success; unpromising.

Antonyms

• Favorable
• Positive
• Advantageous
• Auspicious

Related Phrases

• Unfavorable balance of trade: A situation where a country's imports exceed its exports.
• Unfavorable variance: In accounting, a difference between actual and budgeted costs where the actual cost is higher.

Adjective

1. not favorable
   • made an unfavorable impression
   • unfavorable reviews
2. (of winds or weather) tending to hinder or oppose
   • unfavorable winds
3. not encouraging or approving or pleasing
   • unfavorable conditions
   • an unfavorable comparison
   • unfavorable comments, unfavorable impression