unpleasantness

[ uhn-plez-uhnt-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being unpleasant.
2. something that is displeasing or offensive, as an experience, event, or situation:

   An unpleasantness made them ill-at-ease.

3. an unpleasant feeling or sensation caused by disagreeable or painful stimuli.

Word History and Origins

Origin of unpleasantness¹

First recorded in 1540–50; unpleasant + -ness

Example Sentences

Those who fall ill can still suffer from the unpleasantness of being acutely sick for weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

I’d been impatient with everyone I encountered on the way to the subway, adding some measure of unpleasantness to their mornings.

From New York Times

Researchers used fMRI scans to examine brain responses in men and women who had rated the intensity and unpleasantness of pain during exposure to increasing levels of heat.

From Science Daily

Ultimately, therapists say young people need the sensitivity of mental health to process deeper pain and the insensitivity of mental toughness to push through more superficial unpleasantness.

From Washington Times

At first, it looked like she could skip all this unpleasantness, but James has now called her as a witness and Engoron agreed that her testimony was relevant.

From Salon

Related Words

• animosity
• antagonism