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Glite Dictionary
unenterprising

unenterprising

7.6
Not willing to try new things or take risks
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnˈɛntərˌpraɪzɪŋ/
translation icon : poco emprendedor
  • How very unenterprising of him.

Examples

  • His unenterprising approach to business meant he missed many opportunities.

  • She found it hard to succeed in a job where being unenterprising was not acceptable.

  • The unenterprising student never asked questions during class.

Synonyms

unambitious
vsunenterprising
3 4.1

Not wanting to try hard to reach higher goals

is about missing initiative and risk taking rather than low desire
unadventurous
vsunenterprising
1 5.3

Not willing to try new or risky things

is more about lacking initiative and enterprise than mere caution
nonenterprising
vsunenterprising
7.9

Not willing to take risks or try new things

is the same meaning but a different word form
unexplorative
vsunenterprising
8.5

Not willing to try new ideas, places, or experiences

is more about initiative and willingness to take risks than curiosity

Antonyms

enterprising
18 4.7

Ready to try new projects and make them succeed

How Enterprising

daring
3 3.4
enterprising
18 4.7
cautious
210 2.9
unenterprising
7.6
passive
111 3.9

Surface Forms

unenterprising positive

Morphology

unenterprising = enterprising (transparent) = un + enterprising

Formed by adding the productive negative prefix 'un-' to the adjective 'enterprising', so the meaning is a direct negation of the base.

Etymology

Unenterprising is made from the parts un- meaning 'not' and enterprising, which comes from enterprise meaning a bold 'project' or 'plan'. So, unenterprising describes someone 'not willing to try new things or take risks'.