undesirably

IPA/ˌʌndɪˈzaɪərəbli/
IPA/ˌʌndɪˈzaɪərəbli/

undesirably — adverb

1. occurring or done in a manner that people find unwelcome or problematic

1.adverbB2
Definition

occurring or done in a manner that people find unwelcome or problematic

Example

Tamás was disappointed when the project ended undesirably, leaving no funds for future work.

Emma's financial situation changed undesirably after she lost her part-time job at the bookstore.

collocation: changed undesirably (of conditions, situations)

Common collocations
  • ended undesirably
  • changed undesirably
  • developed undesirably
  • affected undesirably
Synonyms
  • unpleasantly

    broader in use, covers sensory experiences as well as social outcomes

  • unacceptably

    stronger, implying that a standard or limit has been crossed

Antonyms
  • desirably

    direct opposite, used in the same grammatical patterns

  • favorably

    focuses on positive reception or outcome rather than simple absence of unwantedness

Usage Note

Usually placed after the main verb, though it may modify an adjective when describing an unwanted degree (e.g. undesirably high). More common in formal written English than in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

The situation was undesirably.
The situation was undesirable.
'Undesirably' is an adverb and cannot follow a linking verb like 'was'; use the adjective 'undesirable' instead.

undesirably — adjective

undesirably — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three describe something not wanted, but they differ in scope and tone. 'Unwanted' is the most neutral and common; anything from an unwanted email to an unwanted guest can be described this way. 'Unwelcome' focuses on social reception — an unwelcome suggestion is one people react badly to, even if it is factually useful. 'Objectionable' carries the strongest moral judgment, implying active disapproval on ethical grounds (e.g. objectionable language). In everyday conversation, use 'unwanted' for simple negation of desire; reserve 'undesirable' (the headword itself) for formal or written contexts where a measured, professional tone is needed. For instance, a doctor would report 'undesirable side effects' rather than 'unwanted side effects', while a friend might say 'I got some unwanted advice from my cousin.'

unwanted ↗unwelcome ↗objectionable ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • undesirable to someone

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'undesirably' is built from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not'), the verb 'desire' (from Latin 'desiderare', meaning 'to long for'), and the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The adjective 'undesirable' appeared in the 1600s, and the adverb form followed shortly after. The noun sense, referring to a person, became common in the 20th century, especially in official and legal language about who is allowed to stay in a country or enter a place.

First known use

1667

1667, in the meaning defined above Noun