unacceptable
Beyond the pale
Unacceptable describes something that fails to meet required standards or cannot be tolerated: This level of service is unacceptable.
The word often carries moral weight—unacceptable behavior violates norms of decency or propriety.
It's a staple of formal complaints and diplomatic language, where it signals disapproval without specifying consequences: The committee found the proposal unacceptable.
Impossible to endure
- insufferableImpossible to put up with
- unendurableImpossible to bear
- outrageousShockingly bad or excessive
- egregiousConspicuously awful
inexcusable · unconscionable · unforgivable · reprehensible · appalling · deplorable · disgraceful · abhorrent
Officially not permitted
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- illegalForbidden by statute
- illicitProhibited by law
outlawed · barred · proscribed · interdicted · contraband · disallowed · vetoed · restricted
Not suitable or fitting
- unseemlyInappropriate for the occasion
- indecorousViolating standards of propriety
- unbecomingInappropriate or unsuitable
- unsuitableNot fitting or appropriate
indecent · indelicate · unbefitting · uncalled-for · ill-advised · breach · transgressive · untoward
Below required quantity
- deficientHaving too little
- unsatisfactoryNot good enough
- substandardBelow required quality
- subparBelow acceptable quality
inferior · lacking · wanting · unfit · unqualified · incompetent · failing · disappointing
Showing contempt through words
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
- racistOne prejudiced by ethnicity
- sexistBiased based on gender
homophobic · xenophobic · bigoted · prejudiced · disparaging · abusive · hateful · inflammatory
unbearable
Impossible to endure
- insufferableImpossible to put up with
- unendurableImpossible to bear
- outrageousShockingly bad or excessive
egregious · inexcusable · unconscionable · unforgivable · reprehensible · appalling · deplorable · disgraceful · abhorrent · over-the-line
prohibited
Officially not permitted
illicit · outlawed · barred · proscribed · interdicted · contraband · disallowed · vetoed · restricted · impermissible
inappropriate
Not suitable or fitting
- unseemlyInappropriate for the occasion
- indecorousViolating standards of propriety
- unbecomingInappropriate or unsuitable
unsuitable · indecent · indelicate · unbefitting · uncalled-for · ill-advised · breach · transgressive · untoward · objectionable
insufficient
Below required quantity
- deficientHaving too little
- unsatisfactoryNot good enough
- substandardBelow required quality
subpar · inferior · lacking · wanting · unfit · unqualified · incompetent · failing · disappointing · underwhelming
insulting
Showing contempt through words
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
- racistOne prejudiced by ethnicity
sexist · homophobic · xenophobic · bigoted · prejudiced · disparaging · abusive · hateful · inflammatory · slur
- unacceptableinappropriate, improper, wrong, forbidden, prohibited
- Evaluationsevaluation, assessment, appraisal, review, rating
- normsnorm, norms, standard, social norms, rule
- repair qualityflawless, professional, amateur, excellent, poor
- toxicity levelstoxic, nontoxic, lethal, safe, hazardous
- academic failurefailing grade, failed test, F grade, flunk, flunking
unacceptableacceptable
Meeting minimum standards
OK · okay · tolerable · permissible · allowable