What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
displeasing
Example
The food was displeasing and lacked flavor. [displeasing: adjective]
Example
He found the service at the restaurant displeasing and slow. [displeasing: gerund or present participle]
unpleasant
Example
The smell in the room was unpleasant and made me feel sick. [unpleasant: adjective]
Example
She had an unpleasant experience at the dentist's office. [unpleasant: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unpleasant is more commonly used than displeasing in everyday language. Unpleasant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while displeasing is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between displeasing and unpleasant?
Displeasing is generally considered more formal or literary than unpleasant. While both words can be used in various formality levels, displeasing may be more appropriate in formal writing or speech.
