| English Dictionary |
UNENVIABLE
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does unenviable mean?
• UNENVIABLE (adjective)
The adjective UNENVIABLE has 2 senses:
1. hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment
2. so undesirable as to be incapable of arousing envy
Familiarity information: UNENVIABLE used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment
Synonyms:
awkward; embarrassing; sticky; unenviable
Context example:
in the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign
Similar:
difficult; hard (not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure)
Sense 2
Meaning:
So undesirable as to be incapable of arousing envy
Context example:
unenviable notoriety
Similar:
undesirable; unwanted (not wanted)
Context examples
After breakfast I had another unenviable experience.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
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