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
What’s to stop Republican state attorneys general from refusing to allow Biden on their ballot by invoking the presidential disability amendment to claim Biden unfit given his obvious mental decline and his refusal to take a cognitive test? Larry Elder, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024 In 2016, Forbes reported that 80% of Italian EVOO on the market is fraudulent, and this past December, Europol and Spanish and Italian authorities seized over 260,000 liters of counterfeit EVOO, which was diluted with a lower-quality variant of olive oil unfit for consumption. Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 For all that, his two terms in office were long associated with a worsening of his country’s reputation for corruption, including scams to defraud a government debt agency and to distribute food that had been found unfit for human consumption. Alan Cowell, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 For fourteen hours, as Bernard’s white-coated colleagues sat behind her in solidarity, lawyers tried to prove that Bernard was unfit to practice medicine. Peter Slevin, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2024 South Carolina Republican primary exit poll results for 2024 Most South Carolina GOP primary voters rejected the charge that Trump is mentally unfit to serve as president, according to early exit polls. Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2024 The misstep threatened to undermine his entire effort, and was immediately seized on by his political opponents as further evidence Biden was unfit to serve. Akayla Gardner, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2024 Republicans continue to accuse Schiff of being unfit to hold public office. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024 Elijah Blue Allman said Cher is 'unfit' to be his conservator Allman has opposed his mother becoming his conservator. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 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 18 Mar. 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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