What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unpreferred
Example
The unpreferred option was to take the longer route. [unpreferred: adjective]
Example
I had to choose the unpreferred option since the other one was not available. [unpreferred: noun]
unpopular
Example
The new policy was unpopular among the employees. [unpopular: adjective]
Example
The politician became unpopular after his controversial statement. [unpopular: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unpopular is more commonly used than unpreferred in everyday language. Unpopular is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unpreferred is less common and is limited to describing options or choices.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unpreferred and unpopular?
Both unpreferred and unpopular can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, unpreferred is often associated with a more formal tone due to its limited usage in decision-making contexts.