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Synonyms

unhealthy

American  
[uhn-hel-thee] / ʌnˈhɛl θi /

adjective

unhealthier, unhealthiest

  1. not in a state of good or normal health; in an unsound, weak, or morbid condition.

    Synonyms:
    sickly

  2. symptomatic of or resulting from bad health.

    an unhealthy pallor.

  3. not conducive to good health; unhealthful.

    Night air was formerly considered unhealthy.
    Synonyms:
    deleterious, unhygienic

  4. morally bad, harmful, or contaminating.

    unhealthy examples for the young.

  5. dangerous; risky.

    Asking questions in this neighborhood can be unhealthy.
unhealthy British  
/ ʌnˈhɛlθɪ /

adjective

  1. characterized by ill-health; sick; unwell

  2. characteristic of, conducive to, or resulting from ill-health

    an unhealthy complexion

    an unhealthy atmosphere

  3. morbid or unwholesome

  4. informal dangerous; risky

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • unhealthily adverb
  • unhealthiness noun

Etymology

Origin of unhealthy

First recorded in 1585–95; un- 1 + healthy

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.

It’s supposed to help with recognizing unhealthy thought patterns and learning how to change them, but I don’t see how it can help me at all.

From Literature

It said the company's actions may have helped fuel so-called "cosmeticorexia" - an unhealthy obsession with skincare in young people experts believe may be on the rise.

From BBC

Stage 2, very unhealthy — keep the kids inside.

From Los Angeles Times

There is general agreement that ultraprocessed foods are high-calorie foods high in unhealthy fats, sugar and salt, typically with low nutritional value.

From MarketWatch

But scientists are discovering that things like pizza, french fries and packaged muffins also tend to have additional qualities that may make them unhealthy.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.