unsuccessful

[ uhn-suhk-ses-fuhl ]

adjective

1. not achieving or not attended with success:

   an unsuccessful person;

   an unsuccessful venture.

   Synonyms: baffled, foiled, unfortunate, hapless

unsuccessful

/ ˌʌnsəkˈsɛsfʊl /

adjective

1. not having succeeded

Derived Forms

• unsuccessfully, adverb

Other Words From

• unsuc·cessful·ly adverb
• unsuc·cessful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsuccessful¹

First recorded in 1610–20; un- ¹ + successful

Example Sentences

The challenge was unsuccessful, but it did lead the electoral commission to introduce new measures to ensure greater transparency.

From BBC

Alongside the US and Egypt, the Qataris have also played a major role in rounds of so-far unsuccessful talks to broker a ceasefire in the year-long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

From BBC

Trump has said he would abolish the department — a vow that has been an unsuccessful rallying cry of Republican politicians since Ronald Reagan.

From Los Angeles Times

In Game 2, Ohtani jammed his left arm in the ground while sliding into second base on an unsuccessful stolen base attempt.

From Los Angeles Times

She was unsuccessful, but her political celebrity rocketed Davis to the 2014 gubernatorial nomination and again sent Democratic hopes soaring skyward.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abortive
• disastrous
• doomed
• failed
• foiled
• fruitless
• futile
• ill-fated
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• losing
• thwarted
• useless
• vain