UNSUCCESSFUL

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does unsuccessful mean? 

• UNSUCCESSFUL (adjective)
  The adjective UNSUCCESSFUL has 2 senses:

1. not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome
2. failing to accomplish an intended result

  Familiarity information: UNSUCCESSFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNSUCCESSFUL (adjective)

Meaning:

Not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome

Similar:

unplaced (not one of the first three in a race or competition)

unfulfilled; unrealised; unrealized (of persons; marked by failure to realize full potentialities)

self-defeating (acting to defeat its own purpose)

goalless; hitless; scoreless (having no points scores)

out (out of power; especially having been unsuccessful in an election)

no-win (certain to end in failure and disappointment)

hitless ((of a batter) without a hit)

failed; failing (unable to meet financial obligations)

empty-handed; unrewarded (having acquired or gained nothing)

down-and-out (lacking resources (or any prospect of resources))

done for; ruined; sunk; undone; washed-up (doomed to extinction)

defeated; disappointed; discomfited; foiled; frustrated; thwarted (disappointingly unsuccessful)

attempted (tried unsuccessfully)

winless (having no wins)

Also:

unprofitable (producing little or no profit or gain)

unfortunate (not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune)

defeated (beaten or overcome; not victorious)

Attribute:

success (a state of prosperity or fame)

Antonym:

successful (having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome)

Meaning:

Failing to accomplish an intended result

Synonyms:

abortive; stillborn; unsuccessful

Context examples:

an abortive revolt / a stillborn plot to assassinate the President

Similar:

unfruitful (not fruitful; not conducive to abundant production)