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unsuccessful

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adjective British English pronunciation: unsuccessful /ˌʌnsəkˈsesf(ə)l/
  1. something that is unsuccessful does not achieve what you want, or does not happen in the way that you want

    The president flew home today after another unsuccessful attempt to reach a peace agreement.

    All their efforts were largely unsuccessful.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  unsuccessfulThesaurus entry for this meaning of unsuccessful
    1. a.
      someone who is unsuccessful does not do or get what they want

      Letters are sent to all unsuccessful candidates.

      unsuccessful in:

      They were unsuccessful in reaching foreign markets.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  unsuccessfulThesaurus entry for this meaning of unsuccessful
    2. b.
      used about someone who has not achieved what they want in life
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  unsuccessfulThesaurus entry for this meaning of unsuccessful

derived word

unsuccessfully

 British English pronunciation: unsuccessfully  adverb

Some workers have tried unsuccessfully to set up their own businesses.

This is the British English definition of unsuccessful. View American English definition of unsuccessful.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

 

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