unfit

1 of 2

adjective

un·​fit ˌən-ˈfit How to pronounce unfit (audio)
: not fit:
a
: not adapted to a purpose : unsuitable
b
: not qualified : incapable, incompetent
c
: physically or mentally unsound
unfitly adverb
unfitness noun

unfit

2 of 2

verb

unfitted or unfit; unfitting; unfits

transitive verb

: to make unfit : disable, disqualify

Examples of unfit in a Sentence

Adjective just because I don't have actual work experience doesn't mean I'm unfit for the job those flimsy shoes are unfit for the hike we're about to take
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Later that decade, the UK FSA said that DNP was unfit for human consumption. Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 And totally unfit to stand up to the challenges of disinformation. Davia Temin, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 Claim: Biden was declared 'mentally unfit' to stand trial (False) – Eric Litke When will Super Tuesday results come in? Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Martial law also prohibits most men between the ages 18 and 60 from leaving Ukraine, unless they are deemed unfit for military service for health reasons or have an exemption. Xiaofei Xu, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024 In a marathon trial that lasted off and on from June to November, the State Bar, which regulates lawyers in California, argued that Eastman was unfit to practice law for peddling bogus claims that fraud cost Trump the election and for promoting a fake-elector scheme to block the electoral count. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024 Undocumented status alone does not make a parent unfit. Deborah Sontag, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024 In the end, Jagna is deemed unfit and the cause for God’s wrath to visit the village in the form of a drought. Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024 So teens don’t just seem unfit for babysitting; babysitting might also seem unfit for teens. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024
Verb
For comparison, here's the original: This fight scene has often been derided as boring, awkward, and unfitting a Star Wars franchise that would eventually have an evil cyborg who could wield four lightsabers simultaneously. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 8 May 2019 There are certainly women in this world who are simply unfitted, emotionally or physically, to have children. Charles McCabe, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 June 2018 The design would be printed to hide the juice stains, thick enough to go commando, and unfitted, to keep comfortable and cool in the Florida heat. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 10 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unfit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1545, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfit was in 1545

Dictionary Entries Near unfit

Cite this Entry

“Unfit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfit. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

unfit

1 of 2 adjective
un·​fit ˌən-ˈfit How to pronounce unfit (audio)
1
: unsuitable
food that is unfit to eat
2
: not qualified : incapable, incompetent
removed unfit candidates by testing
3
: physically or mentally unhealthy
unfit for army service

unfit

2 of 2 verb
: to make unfit : disable, disqualify

Legal Definition

unfit

adjective
un·​fit ˌən-ˈfit How to pronounce unfit (audio)
1
: not suitable for a purpose
food unfit for consumption
2
a
: not having the qualities, skills, or mental or moral soundness necessary to provide proper care
unfit parents
b
: not competent
unfit to stand trial
c
: not capable or qualified
an unfit employee
a juror unfit to serve

More from Merriam-Webster on unfit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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