What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
undesirable
Example
The company had to let go of some employees due to their undesirable behavior. [undesirable: adjective]
Example
The presence of undesirable elements in the neighborhood made it unsafe for families. [undesirable: noun]
unpleasant
Example
The smell in the room was very unpleasant and made me feel sick. [unpleasant: adjective]
Example
The meeting was very unpleasant and lasted longer than expected. [unpleasant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unpleasant is more commonly used than undesirable in everyday language. Unpleasant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while undesirable is less common and often used in formal contexts such as business or legal documents.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between undesirable and unpleasant?
Undesirable is typically associated with a formal tone, while unpleasant is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.