unfavorable

Unfavorable is an adjective used to describe something that is not favorable, or that tends to produce negative outcomes, disapproval, or disadvantage. It can modify opinions, conditions, results, or circumstances, and is common in formal, scientific, or journalistic writing.

Etymology and spelling: The word derives from favorable with the negating prefix un-, from Latin favorabilis and favor, meaning goodwill or support. American English typically uses unfavorable, while British English commonly uses unfavourable (with ou).

Usage and nuance: Unfavorable is often paired with nouns to denote negative prospects or conditions, such as unfavorable weather, unfavorable odds, or an unfavorable comparison. It can describe judgments, decisions, or measurements that fall short of a desired standard; in research, an unfavorable result may indicate a study outcome that does not support the hypothesis, while still contributing to knowledge. In everyday language, it signals a negative or undesirable quality rather than an outright fault.

Synonyms and contrasts: Common synonyms include adverse, disadvantageous, and inauspicious. Antonyms include favorable, advantageous, and propitious. The term often carries a more formal or cautious tone than everyday equivalents like bad or poor.

Examples: The committee cited unfavorable budget projections for the coming year. The weather forecast warned of unfavorable conditions for the outdoor event. The trial yielded unfavorable results, prompting a reassessment of the treatment protocol.