| / English Dictionary |
UNFAVOURABLE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Involving or creating circumstances detrimental to success or effectiveness
Example:
made an unfavorable impression
Synonyms:
disadvantageous; unfavorable; unfavourable
Classified under:
Similar:
minus; negative (involving disadvantage or harm)
Also:
inexpedient (not suitable or advisable)
harmful (causing or capable of causing harm)
inopportune (not opportune)
Derivation:
unfavourableness (the quality of not being encouraging or indicative of success)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(of winds or weather) tending to hinder or oppose
Example:
unfavorable winds
Synonyms:
unfavorable; unfavourable
Classified under:
Similar:
adverse; contrary (in an opposing direction)
Also:
unpropitious (not propitious)
Derivation:
unfavourableness (the quality of not being encouraging or indicative of success)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Not encouraging or approving or pleasing
Example:
unfavorable impression
Synonyms:
unfavorable; unfavourable
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
admonishing; admonitory; reproachful; reproving (expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective)
adverse; inauspicious; untoward (contrary to your interests or welfare)
disapproving (expressing or manifesting disapproval)
discriminatory; invidious (containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice)
Also:
negative (expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial)
critical (marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws)
uncomplimentary (tending to (or intended to) detract or disparage)
bad (having undesirable or negative qualities)
hostile (characterized by enmity or ill will)
Derivation:
unfavourableness (the quality of not being encouraging or indicative of success)
Context examples:
A high genetic risk combined with an unfavourable lifestyle profile was associated with a more than twofold increased risk of stroke compared with a low genetic risk and a favourable lifestyle.
(A healthy lifestyle cuts stroke risk, irrespective of genetic risk, University of Cambridge)
There were no horses to be procured, and I must return by the lake; but the wind was unfavourable, and the rain fell in torrents.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the distress of the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted with their fears for her sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the proper termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning from all those who were not immediately on the spot.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
I wondered what it meant: I wondered, too, at the punctual satisfaction he never failed to exhibit on an occasion that seemed to me of small moment, namely, my weekly visit to Morton school; and still more was I puzzled when, if the day was unfavourable, if there was snow, or rain, or high wind, and his sisters urged me not to go, he would invariably make light of their solicitude, and encourage me to accomplish the task without regard to the elements.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
After a few moments' chat, John Dashwood, recollecting that Fanny was yet uninformed of her sister's being there, quitted the room in quest of her; and Elinor was left to improve her acquaintance with Robert, who, by the gay unconcern, the happy self-complacency of his manner while enjoying so unfair a division of his mother's love and liberality, to the prejudice of his banished brother, earned only by his own dissipated course of life, and that brother's integrity, was confirming her most unfavourable opinion of his head and heart.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
It was made a great favour of; and altogether it was more than I could bear; and so I never would finish it, to have it apologised over as an unfavourable likeness, to every morning visitor in Brunswick Square;—and, as I said, I did then forswear ever drawing any body again.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Too late he became aware how unfavourable to the character of any young people must be the totally opposite treatment which Maria and Julia had been always experiencing at home, where the excessive indulgence and flattery of their aunt had been continually contrasted with his own severity.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Under any circumstances it would have been an unwelcome alliance; but to have it so clandestinely formed, and such a period chosen for its completion, placed Julia's feelings in a most unfavourable light, and severely aggravated the folly of her choice.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Unfavourable circumstances had suddenly arisen at a moment when he was beginning to turn all his thoughts towards England; and the very great uncertainty in which everything was then involved determined him on sending home his son, and waiting the final arrangement by himself.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
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