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objectionable

objectionable

31 6.7
Causing people to feel offended or want to protest
  • adjective
  • /əbˈdʒɛkʃənəbl/
translation icon : ofensivo
  • Many people found the comedian's jokes objectionable and offensive.
  • morally objectionable
  • finds objectionable
  • less objectionable

The scent is nothing objectionable to me.

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Examples

  • Has he used objectionable language on the phone?

  • Students may find it less objectionable to identify victims of bullying than to identify classmates who are bullying others.

    Academic text (2011)
  • It's also objectionable on a second ground.

  • You know, I think it's objectionable.

  • Private property rights permit and indeed encourage objectionable things to happen.

    Academic text (1990)
  • That commitment extends even to views that many of us find objectionable, even outrageous.

  • There remains, however, a fourth audience, one that regards these family stories as objectionable and hurtful.

    Academic text (2017)
  • You know, there's nothing objectionable about what you're trying schools to do.

  • Some of the issues that Fisher finds objectionable I've already addressed in my previous post.

    Blog text (10)
  • It may be inappropriate, immoral, and objectionable, but not, however, illegal.

Synonyms

disgusting
vsobjectionable
531 1.3

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making you feel sick

is less strong meaning something causes offence or disapproval without revulsion
unacceptable
vsobjectionable
256 3.2

Not good enough or not allowed by rules

is related but broader meaning offensive or displeasing without formal rule breach
unpleasant
vsobjectionable
215 1.0

Not nice and causing discomfort or unhappiness

is stronger when it causes offence or disapproval rather than mild discomfort
obnoxious
vsobjectionable
  • Offensive
126 5.1

Very unpleasant in a way that makes people angry or upset

is less personal focusing on causing offence or unacceptable behaviour
repulsive
vsobjectionable
59 5.5

Causing strong dislike or disgust, like a very bad smell

is broader covering mere offence or displeasure rather than intense disgust
intolerable
vsobjectionable
42 4.9

So unpleasant or painful that you cannot bear it

is about endurance while the other meaning focuses on causing offence or disapproval
repugnant
vsobjectionable
42 7.8

Very unpleasant and morally wrong to most people

is less forcible meaning likely to offend but not necessarily deeply
deplorable
vsobjectionable
38 6.8

Very bad and unacceptable, deserving strong criticism

is less extreme meaning simply offensive or unacceptable without shock
undesirable
vsobjectionable
31 4.6

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

is narrower focusing on causing offence or disapproval rather than general unwantedness
distasteful
vsobjectionable
30 4.6

Something that makes people feel dislike or disgust

is milder covering general unpleasantness or slight offence rather than strong harm
unsavory
vsobjectionable
  • US
29 7.2

Something people think is morally wrong or dishonest

is wider applying to any offensive or unpleasant quality not only morals
insufferable
vsobjectionable
26 7.5

So unpleasant you cannot stand it

is different focusing on endurance rather than causing moral offence or disapproval
abominable
vsobjectionable
24 7.2

Very bad or morally wrong so people strongly dislike it

is broader covering ordinary offence or displeasure not only moral horror
abhorrent
vsobjectionable
23 7.7

Causing strong dislike or disgust because people see it as morally wrong

is milder implying just disapproval or being unacceptable rather than disgust
odious
vsobjectionable
  • Formal
20 8.2

Very unpleasant and likely to make people feel strong dislike

is softer indicating offence or disapproval without provoking hatred
loathsome
vsobjectionable
20 7.7

Causing strong disgust or hatred in people

is milder referring to being offensive or unpleasant without strong disgust
unappealing
vsobjectionable
15 4.1

Not attractive, pleasant, or interesting

is stronger involving causing offence or disapproval rather than mere unattractiveness
unbecoming
vsobjectionable
  • Formal
15 6.7

Not suitable for a situation or for what people expect

is less about offence focusing on lack of propriety rather than causing protest
offensive
vsobjectionable
15 5.3

Having a bad smell or taste that bothers you

is broader, covering any caused displeasure beyond just hurtful acts
unpalatable
vsobjectionable
9 7.4

Tastes bad or is hard to accept

is broader meaning simply offensive or unacceptable in many contexts not only taste
detestable
vsobjectionable
9 6.5

Very unpleasant and causing people to feel strong dislike or hate

is less extreme meaning likely to offend or cause disapproval
disagreeable
vsobjectionable
6 3.9

Unpleasant to do or feel and causing annoyance

is more severe when it causes clear offence or public disapproval
revolting
vsobjectionable
6 4.9

Very unpleasant and likely to make you feel disgusted

is milder indicating something offensive or unacceptable without immediate revulsion
repellent
vsobjectionable
5 6.1

Causing strong dislike or disgust

is less forceful meaning something causes objection or disapproval but not drive away
unmentionable
vsobjectionable
  • NSFW
4 7.9

Too embarrassing or not allowed to talk about

is narrower implying taboo status instead of general offence or unpleasantness
highly offensive
vsobjectionable
  • Offensive
2 6.6

Very rude and likely to make people feel angry or hurt

is milder meaning causing offence or disapproval without strong outrage
exceptionable
vsobjectionable
  • Formal
1 9.1

Likely to offend or upset people

is broader causing general offense or unhappiness rather than formal complaint
loathly
vsobjectionable
  • Archaic
9.9

Very unpleasant and likely to make people feel disgusted

is milder, covering offence or displeasure without intense revulsion
disgustful
vsobjectionable
6.7

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making people feel sick

is softer indicating simple offence or dislike rather than strong disgust
unsayable
vsobjectionable
  • NSFW
9.3

So offensive that people do not say it

is different meaning simply offensive or unacceptable rather than strictly taboo

Antonyms

477 2.5

Good enough for a particular use or standard

314 1.0

Giving a gentle feeling of enjoyment

17 3.3

Ready to say yes to an idea or request

How Offensive

revolting
6 4.9
abhorrent
23 7.7
objectionable
31 6.7
offensive
  • Offensive
261 4.0
distasteful
30 4.6
unpleasant
215 1.0

Surface Forms

objectionable positive
objectionabler comparative
objectionablest superlative

Morphology

objectionable = objection (transparent) = object + ion + able

Formed by adding the adjectival suffix '-able' to the noun 'objection', yielding a meaning 'worthy of objection' which maps to 'offensive or unacceptable'.

Etymology

The word objectionable comes from objection ('a protest' or 'something you say against') and the ending -able ('able to be'). So, it literally means 'able to be protested', which is why we use it for something people find offensive or unacceptable.