undesirable

[ uhn-di-zahyuhr-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not desirable or attractive; objectionable:

   undesirable qualities.

noun

1. a person or thing considered undesirable:

   a collection of malcontents and undesirables.

undesirable

/ ˌʌndɪˈzaɪərəbəl /

adjective

1. not desirable or pleasant; objectionable

noun

1. a person or thing that is considered undesirable

Derived Forms

• ˌundeˌsiraˈbility, noun
• ˌundeˈsirably, adverb

Other Words From

• unde·sira·bili·ty unde·sira·ble·ness noun
• unde·sira·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of undesirable¹

First recorded in 1660–70; un- ¹ + desirable

Example Sentences

Mexican immigrant mothers and their American-born children — seeking basic healthcare at Los Angeles County General Hospital, for instance — were scapegoated as undesirable and deported directly from the hospital.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump recently made similar comments when he described how “illegal aliens” and other “undesirables” turned the United States into the world’s “garbage can.”

From Salon

It's like the Nazi term "undesirables" in the breadth of its scope.

From Salon

In all, Trump wants to “purify” the “blood” of the nation by purging it of all “undesirables” – as defined by his corrupt personal standards and fascist political vision.

From Salon

The commission also found Pontins had created a list of common Irish surnames labelled as "undesirable guests".

From BBC

Related Words

• abominable
• inadmissible
• loathsome
• objectionable
• troublesome
• unsatisfactory
• unsavory
• unwanted
• unwelcome