unsatisfactory
/' n,s tis'f kt ri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not adequate or acceptable; failing to meet a required standard or expectation: Describes something that is not good enough, does not provide satisfaction, or is insufficient in quality or performance.
- Disappointing or unacceptable: Indicates a result, condition, or object that is below the desired or necessary level.
Usage and Examples
- General Use: Used to describe the quality of objects, services, results, or situations.
- The inspector found the safety procedures to be unsatisfactory and ordered immediate changes.
- We received an unsatisfactory explanation for the delay.
- Formal/Professional Context: Often used in evaluations, reports, reviews, and customer feedback.
- The student's work was graded as unsatisfactory.
- The company's response to the complaint was deemed unsatisfactory by the client.
Advanced Usage
- "to find something unsatisfactory": To judge or conclude that something is not acceptable.
- The committee found the proposal unsatisfactory and requested a revision.
- "deem unsatisfactory": To formally consider or regard something as not meeting standards (more formal).
- The product was deemed unsatisfactory for release.
Variants and Related Words
- Unsatisfactorily (adverb): In an unsatisfactory manner.
- The project was managed unsatisfactorily, leading to its failure.
- Unsatisfactoriness (noun): The state or quality of being unsatisfactory.
- The report highlighted the unsatisfactoriness of the current arrangements.
Synonyms
- Inadequate: Not sufficient or acceptable.
- Substandard: Below the usual or required standard.
- Poor: Of low quality.
- Deficient: Lacking in some necessary quality or element.
- Unacceptable: Not satisfactory or allowable.
Antonyms
- Satisfactory: Fulfilling expectations or needs; adequate.
- Acceptable: Able to be agreed on; suitable.
- Adequate: Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity.
- Sufficient: Enough; adequate.
Notes on Meaning
- Degree: "Unsatisfactory" typically indicates a clear failure to meet a basic or expected standard. It is stronger than "mediocre" but may not be as severe as "appalling" or "dreadful."
- Subjectivity vs. Objectivity: While often based on objective criteria (e.g., a failing grade), it can also express a personal or subjective judgment of dissatisfaction.
- The hotel room was unsatisfactory. (This could be based on objective flaws like cleanliness or a subjective feeling of discomfort.)
Adjective
- not giving satisfaction
- shops should take back unsatisfactory goods
- her performance proved to be unsatisfactory
- life is becoming increasingly unsatifactory
- our discussion was very unsatisfactory