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unwelcome

unwelcome

45 4.3
Not wanted and causing upset or trouble
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈwɛlkəm/
translation icon : indeseado
  • When they arrived uninvited, their presence at the party felt unwelcome to many guests.
  • unwelcome attention
  • feel unwelcome
  • an unwelcome guest

And that of course is an extremely unwelcome feature of of a society.

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Examples

  • I know this is unwelcome news for you.

  • Even refugees who return to majority areas are unwelcome, branded as cowards who fled in times of danger.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Do you have to make him feel so unwelcome?

  • To what do I owe the pleasure of your entirely unwelcome visit?

  • In short, the "R word" is often an unwelcome topic among teachers.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Meanwhile, another future leader is adjusting to a new and pretty unwelcome life in New York City.

  • The outbreak of war came as an unwelcome surprise to everyone in Pforzheim.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Producing a written curriculum is frequently an unwelcome task for music departments.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Across the Baltic Sea, Sweden, not an immediate neighbor, is receiving unwelcome Russian attention as well.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Such recognition should not be unwelcome for an overstretched superpower such as the United States.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

unpleasant
vsunwelcome
215 1.0

Not nice and causing discomfort or unhappiness

is about being not wanted rather than only causing discomfort
unwanted
vsunwelcome
120 1.0

People do not like or need it

is broader, also meaning it causes active displeasure
undesirable
vsunwelcome
31 4.6

Not wanted because it is unpleasant, harmful, or causes problems

focuses more on being personally disliked and causing displeasure
undesired
vsunwelcome
2 3.8

Not wanted or welcome

carries a stronger sense of rejection and causing displeasure
unwished
vsunwelcome
8.3

Not wanted or welcome

is more about causing displeasure rather than mere lack of desire
unwished-for
vsunwelcome
6.9

Not wanted or welcome

places more stress on causing annoyance or displeasure

Antonyms

1.0

Pleasing and gladly accepted

Compounds

A person who comes to an event without being invited or wanted

A person who is not wanted in a place or group

How Welcome

welcome
1.0
desired
2.5
unwanted
120 1.0
unwelcome
45 4.3
undesirable
31 4.6

Surface Forms

unwelcome positive

Morphology

unwelcome = welcome (transparent) = un + welcome + come

The prefix 'un-' clearly negates the meaning of 'welcome', making it easily understandable.

Etymology

Unwelcome is built from the prefix un- ('not') and welcome ('greeted with pleasure'), so it literally means 'not welcome'; a helpful image is an unwanted visitor who is not greeted warmly.