unpopular

[ uhn-pop-yuh-ler ]

adjective

1. not popular; disliked or ignored by the public or by persons generally.
2. in disfavor with a particular person or group of persons.

unpopular

/ ˌʌnpɒpjʊˈlærɪtɪ; ʌnˈpɒpjʊlə /

adjective

1. not popular with an individual or group of people

Derived Forms

• unˈpopularly, adverb
• unpopularity, noun

Other Words From

• unpop·u·lari·ty noun
• un·popu·lar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unpopular¹

First recorded in 1640–50; un- ¹ + popular

Example Sentences

Being unhopeful about climate change is so unpopular that I myself, an environment-focused journalist, am fearful of publicly admitting my own pessimistic outlook.

From Salon

He castigated anyone who suggested the blueprint, which polls showed was deeply unpopular among voters, represented his aims for the presidency.

From Los Angeles Times

“He doesn’t want to tank the market, he doesn’t want to be unpopular, he doesn’t want inflation to go up. If the market starts to fall, he’ll listen to that.”

From Los Angeles Times

She and the cabinet have spent this early period in power arguing the inheritance they received from the previous Conservative government was gruesome, that the remedy requires hard and unpopular choices.

From BBC

She attended Sarah Lawrence College but left during her sophomore year, later citing her support for “unpopular political causes.”

From New York Times