What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unpleasing
Example
The food was unpleasing to my taste buds. [unpleasing: adjective]
Example
It was an unpleasing sight to see the garbage strewn all over the park. [unpleasing: adjective]
Example
His unpleasing manners made it difficult for him to make friends. [unpleasing: adjective]
displeasing
Example
The service at the restaurant was displeasing and we decided not to return. [displeasing: adjective]
Example
His rude behavior was displeasing to everyone in the room. [displeasing: adjective]
Example
The results of the experiment were displeasing to the researchers. [displeasing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Displeasing is more commonly used than unpleasing in everyday language. Displeasing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unpleasing is less common and may sound outdated or formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unpleasing and displeasing?
Both unpleasing and displeasing are considered formal words, but unpleasing may sound more old-fashioned or literary than displeasing.
