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Meaning & use

unpopular

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ʌnˈpɒpjələ(r)/
US/ʌnˈpɑːpjələr/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Not liked or supported by most people.

    Grammar: Can be used with 'more' and 'most' to compare degrees of unpopularity.

    Patterns

    • unpopular with someone
    • unpopular among someone
    • unpopular decision
    • unpopular policy

    The new tax was very unpopular with voters.

    He was unpopular at school because he bullied others.

    The decision to cut funding proved unpopular among teachers.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Not widely accepted or approved of; not fashionable at a particular time.

    Grammar: Used for ideas, styles, or things that are not currently liked or approved by many people.

    Patterns

    • unpopular opinion
    • unpopular idea
    • unpopular view

    It was an unpopular opinion, but she expressed it anyway.

    In the 1990s, that style of music was unpopular.

    The proposal was unpopular and was quickly dropped.

Word forms

comparativemore unpopular
superlativemost unpopular

Common combinations

unpopular with
The manager is unpopular with his staff.
unpopular among
The policy is unpopular among young people.
deeply unpopular
The war was deeply unpopular at home.
unpopular decision
The mayor made an unpopular decision to close the library.
unpopular opinion
He shared his unpopular opinion on social media.

Synonyms and how they differ

disliked
Disliked means not liked by someone, but it does not necessarily mean by most people; unpopular implies a general lack of support.
unloved
Unloved means not loved, often used for people or things that receive no affection; unpopular focuses on lack of approval or support.
unfashionable
Unfashionable means not stylish or not currently popular, often used for clothes or ideas; unpopular is broader.

Opposites

popularwell-likedfavored

Word family

popular adjective
Liked or supported by many people.
popularity noun
The state of being liked or supported by many people.
popularly adverb
By many people; generally.
unpopularity noun
The state of being not liked or supported.

Commonly confused: unpopular or impopular?

unpopular vs impopular

Impopular is not a standard English word; the correct term is unpopular.

Practice

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