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unpalatable

unpalatable

9 7.4
Tastes bad or is hard to accept
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈpælɪtəbl/
translation icon : inaceptable
  • The proposal for higher taxes is unpalatable to many voters.
  • politically unpalatable
  • unpalatable realities
  • unpalatable options

And I understand that some might find it divisive or or unpalatable because it doesn't match their worldview.

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Examples

  • You must find it unpalatable being sworn to protect a man like me.

  • The consequences of military action against Iran are not only unpalatable; they are unthinkable.

    Blog text (32)
  • But as unpalatable as it is, I think that that is the value.

  • What makes his statement unpalatable is that he is an activist in this area.

    Blog text (5)
  • I just have to be sure I'm not introducing anything completely unpalatable.

  • Do its potential therapeutic benefits make spit seem just a bit less unpalatable?

    Academic text (2004)
  • However, Giuliani's position is consistent and may not be as unpalatable as some would think.

    Blog text (1)
  • There is a need to acknowledge the unpalatable but undeniable fact that current tropical conservation efforts are failing.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Flesh of the giant grenadier was unpalatable, according to the panelists, primarily because of its soft texture.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Water sterilization with tablets is imperfect, and some travelers find the resulting treated water unpalatable.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

unpleasant
vsunpalatable
215 1.0

Not nice and causing discomfort or unhappiness

also refers specifically to bad taste or to difficulty accepting something
intolerable
vsunpalatable
42 4.9

So unpleasant or painful that you cannot bear it

is milder and may simply describe poor taste as well
objectionable
vsunpalatable
31 6.7

Causing people to feel offended or want to protest

can also mean merely unpleasant in taste or experience
insufferable
vsunpalatable
26 7.5

So unpleasant you cannot stand it

is less extreme and also applies to disagreeable taste or ideas
abominable
vsunpalatable
24 7.2

Very bad or morally wrong so people strongly dislike it

can also apply to bad taste but is more severe and moral
yucky
vsunpalatable
  • Informal
22 6.8

Not pleasant to taste or smell

is a broader word that can also mean hard to accept seriously
unappealing
vsunpalatable
15 4.1

Not attractive, pleasant, or interesting

can be used for taste problems or for things hard to accept
detestable
vsunpalatable
9 6.5

Very unpleasant and causing people to feel strong dislike or hate

is a milder term covering both unpleasant taste and uneasy acceptance
disagreeable
vsunpalatable
6 3.9

Unpleasant to do or feel and causing annoyance

is closer to taste or acceptability problems rather than general annoyance
revolting
vsunpalatable
6 4.9

Very unpleasant and likely to make you feel disgusted

is milder and can also mean hard to accept mentally
execrable
vsunpalatable
  • Formal
4 9.5

Very bad and unpleasant, causing strong dislike

is less morally charged and may simply mean unpleasant to taste
unappetizing
vsunpalatable
4 4.8

Not looking, smelling, or tasting good so you do not want to eat it

covers taste problems and also things hard to accept more broadly
unendurable
vsunpalatable
3 8.0

Too unpleasant or painful to bear

is broader and can mean either bad taste or hard acceptance
unsavory
vsunpalatable
  • US
1 6.5

Something that smells or tastes bad

also covers when something is hard to accept or agree with
undelicious
vsunpalatable
1 5.5

Not pleasant to taste, smell, or touch

includes bad taste but also means hard to accept in ideas
unpleasing
vsunpalatable
1 4.8

Unpleasant to the senses, like a bitter taste or bright light

leans more toward literal bad taste or hard acceptance in some cases
untasty
vsunpalatable
4.9

Food or a dish that is not pleasant to eat because it has little taste

adds the sense of being difficult to accept beyond mere bland taste
unswallowable
vsunpalatable
9.3

Too hard or unpleasant to accept

also includes literal bad taste but focuses less on that sense
unpleasurable
vsunpalatable
6.5

Not enjoyable, like a bitter taste or a long wait

can also cover stronger rejection or difficulty accepting ideas
unsufferable
vsunpalatable
8.4

So bad or strong that you cannot stand it

also fits sensory dislike but often describes endurance limits instead

Antonyms

31 4.9

Pleasant to taste or acceptable to most people

How Palatable

delicious
419 1.0
palatable
31 4.9
unpalatable
9 7.4
disgusting
531 1.3
inedible
11 4.5

Surface Forms

unpalatable positive

Morphology

unpalatable = palatable (transparent) = un + palatable

The negative prefix 'un-' is productively attached to the adjective 'palatable', yielding the straightforward meaning 'not palatable' in both literal and metaphorical uses.

Etymology

Unpalatable comes from un- 'not' and palate 'roof of the mouth', the part that helps us taste. So unpalatable means 'not pleasant to taste' and is also used for things that are 'hard to accept'.