adj

unflattering

Unflattering (adj) means making someone or something look worse than they really are. Example: “The tabloid printed an unflattering photo of the actress on a bad day.”

adj

Making someone or something look worse than they really are.

"The tabloid printed an unflattering photo of the actress on a bad day."

"The review painted an unflattering picture of the restaurant's service."

How to use unflattering

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMaking someone look bad, or presenting them in a negative light.

Common pairings

unflattering photo unflattering light unflattering comparison

Word forms

more unflattering comparative, most unflattering superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “unflattering” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The tabloid printed an _____ photo of the actress on a bad day.

Etymology

From un- + flattering.

Synonyms

View more →

uncomplimentary

Related words

uncomplimentary

Rhymes for unflattering

peering tapering lowering covering offering entering altering cheering steering uttering ordering towering

See all rhymes for unflattering →

Frequently asked questions

What does “unflattering” mean?

The word “unflattering” means making someone or something look worse than they really are. In plain terms, making someone look bad, or presenting them in a negative light.

How do you use “unflattering” in a sentence?

Here is “unflattering” used in a sentence: “The tabloid printed an unflattering photo of the actress on a bad day.”

What part of speech is “unflattering”?

“Unflattering” is an adjective.

What is the meaning of unflattering?

"unflattering" (adj) means making someone or something look worse than they really are.

People also searched

uncomplimentary