UNFAVOURABLE

Definition of UNFAVOURABLE

UNFAVOURABLE Adjective

Unfavourable is an adjective used to describe something that is not advantageous, beneficial, or supportive. It indicates a situation, condition, or outcome that is detrimental or negative in nature.

Detrimental or Negative: Unfavourable describes conditions or circumstances that are likely to result in negative consequences or outcomes. For example, “The weather conditions were unfavourable for the outdoor event,” suggests that the weather did not support or benefit the event.

In Weather and Environmental Contexts: Unfavourable is often used to describe weather conditions or environmental factors that hinder activities or have negative effects. For instance, “The expedition was delayed due to unfavourable weather conditions,” highlights how adverse weather impacted the planned activity.

In Economic and Business Contexts: In economics and business, unfavourable can refer to conditions that are not conducive to success or profitability. For example, “The company faced unfavourable market conditions that affected its sales,” indicates that the market environment was challenging or negative for the company.

In Personal or Social Contexts: Unfavourable may describe personal situations or social interactions that are unpleasant or disadvantageous. For instance, “She received an unfavourable review from her supervisor,” reflects a negative assessment of her performance.

In Health and Medical Contexts: In health contexts, unfavourable can refer to health conditions or outcomes that are undesirable or harmful. For example, “The patient’s prognosis was unfavourable due to the severity of the illness,” indicates that the health outlook was poor or negative.

In Legal and Regulatory Contexts: Unfavourable can describe legal or regulatory conditions that are adverse or disadvantageous. For example, “The ruling was unfavourable to the defendant,” suggests that the legal decision did not benefit or support the defendant.

In summary, unfavourable is an adjective used to describe situations, conditions, or outcomes that are negative, disadvantageous, or not supportive. It applies to various contexts, including weather, economics, personal interactions, health, and legal matters. Understanding unfavourable helps in recognizing and addressing conditions that may have adverse effects or implications.

Examples of UNFAVOURABLE in a sentence

  • The unfavourable weather conditions forced the event to be rescheduled.
  • The report received unfavourable reviews from critics due to its lack of detail.
  • They faced unfavourable outcomes after implementing the new policy.
  • The unfavourable economic climate made it difficult for small businesses to thrive.
  • Her unfavourable attitude towards the project led to tensions within the team.
  • The unfavourable market trends impacted the company’s financial performance.
  • The unfavourable results of the study raised concerns among the researchers.
  • The candidate’s unfavourable public image affected his chances in the election.

Origin of UNFAVOURABLE

The word unfavourable (or unfavorable in American English) has its origins in Latin and Old French, evolving through various stages to describe something that is not advantageous or supportive.

  • Latin:
    • Favorem (favor, support)
    • The Latin term favorem (from favorem, accusative of favorem) means favor or support. It is the root of related terms in Latin that reflect the concept of support or beneficial conditions.
  • Old French:
    • Defavorable (unfavorable, adverse)
    • In Old French, defavorable was used to describe something that is not favorable or supportive. It combined the prefix de- (denoting negation) with favorable (beneficial or advantageous), reflecting the lack of support or benefit.
  • Middle English:
    • Unfavorable (not favorable, adverse)
    • By Middle English, unfavorable emerged as a term combining un- (not) with favorable. It was used to describe conditions or situations that are not advantageous or supportive.
  • Modern English:
    • Unfavorable (not conducive to success, adverse)
    • In Modern English, unfavorable refers to conditions or situations that are not conducive to success or are adverse. It describes anything that does not provide support or benefit, and is often used in both literal and figurative contexts.

The term unfavorable has evolved from its Latin and Old French roots, maintaining its core meaning of lacking support or advantage into Modern English.

Synonyms

  • Adverse
  • Negative
  • Disadvantageous
  • Unfavorable
  • Detrimental
  • Hostile
  • Unpleasant
  • Harmful

Antonyms

  • Favorable
  • Positive
  • Advantageous
  • Beneficial
  • Supportive
  • Pleasant
  • Helpful
  • Promising

Related

  • Conditions
  • Circumstances
  • Obstacles
  • Setback
  • Difficulty
  • Hindrance
  • Discontent
  • Challenge

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