unsuccessful
word
Definition
Not achieving the desired result or goal; failing to succeed.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used in formal and informal contexts. Often placed before nouns: 'an unsuccessful attempt', 'unsuccessful candidate'. Not as harsh as 'failure'. Usually describes specific actions or efforts, not permanent traits.
Spanish: sin éxito - fallido - infructuosoPortuguese (BR): mal-sucedido - sem sucesso - fracassadoPortuguese (PT): mal-sucedido - sem sucesso - fracassadoChinese (Simplified): 失败的 - 未成功的Chinese (Traditional): 失敗的 - 未成功的Hindi: असफलArabic: غير ناجح - فاشلBengali: অসফল - ব্যর্থRussian: безуспешный - неудачныйJapanese: 不成功な - 失敗したVietnamese: không thành côngKorean: 성공하지 못한 - 실패한Turkish: başarısızUrdu: ناکام - غیر کامیابIndonesian: tidak berhasil - gagal
Example Sentences
The team's project was unsuccessful.
basic
He made an unsuccessful attempt to open the door.
basic
Their plan was unsuccessful due to bad weather.
basic
All my calls to her have been unsuccessful so far.
natural
After several unsuccessful interviews, he finally got a job offer.
natural
Our search for her favorite book was unsuccessful, so we bought something else.
natural