Synonyms of unsatisfactory
28 similar words
Another word for unsatisfactory is inadequate. Other synonyms of unsatisfactory are lean, poor, dismal and scantling.
Synonyms and similar words for unsatisfactory
adjectiveInadequate, substandard or not satisfactory.
- deficient
- insufficient
- wanting
- awantingMissing; wanting; deficient or absent.
- dismalDisappointingly inadequate.
- exiguousScanty; meager.
- geason UK, dialectal
- inadequateNot adequate; lacking in quality or quantity required; insufficient for a purpose.
- leanHaving little extra or little to spare; scanty; meagre.
- lousyInsufficient and less than expected of a good thing.
- meager
- measly
- paltry
- poorInadequate, insufficient.
- raunchy
- scant
- scantlingNot plentiful; small; scanty.
- scanty
- scarce
- skimpy
- sleazy
- slender figuratively
- spare
- sparse
- threadbare figurativelyIn poor condition; damaged, shabby; also, poorly equipped or provided for, inadequate, meagre, scanty.
- unsufficientSynonym of insufficient.
- wanty UK, dialectalPossessing or indicating lack; deficient.
- lank obsolete
Meaning of unsatisfactory
- adjective Inadequate, substandard or not satisfactory.
unsatisfactory in other languages
Questions about synonyms of unsatisfactory
- What is another word for unsatisfactory?
- Unsatisfactory has 28 synonyms on Word.ws, such as inadequate, lean, poor, dismal and scantling.
- What does unsatisfactory mean?
- Unsatisfactory means inadequate, substandard or not satisfactory.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: unsatisfactory (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of unsatisfactory.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/unsatisfactory. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.