unsuccessful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- unsuccessfully adverb
- unsuccessfulness noun
Etymology
Origin of unsuccessful
First recorded in 1610–20; un- 1 + successful
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was convicted in July after a six-week trial and made two unsuccessful appeals, denied a new trial only a week ago.
From Los Angeles Times
The proposals also included offering only temporary protection to those whose asylum claims have been accepted - and reducing the number of appeals that unsuccessful applicants can lodge.
From BBC
So much of the machinery which provides either a successful or unsuccessful season could be dictated by everyone apart from the coach.
From BBC
“I don’t have a way to file it without potentially damaging his career, even if I am unsuccessful in its pursuit,” Barrera wrote.
From Salon
"You can't save everyone. But even your unsuccessful attempts will matter."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
