unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
unhealthier; unhealthiest
1
: not conducive to health : not healthful
an unhealthy climate
unhealthy habits
unhealthy foods
2
: not in good health : sickly, diseased
unhealthy animals
3
a
: risky, unsound
an unhealthy economy
b
: of a harmful nature : bad, injurious
unhealthy levels of lead
c
: morally contaminated : corrupt, unwholesome
an unhealthy imagination
unhealthily adverb
unhealthiness noun

Examples of unhealthy in a Sentence

Her skin looks blotchy and unhealthy. Tests revealed an unhealthy level of lead in the water. Eating honey can be unhealthy for babies. He was stuck in an unhealthy relationship. She has an unhealthy interest in natural disasters.
Recent Examples on the Web That long-lasting dependency is becoming a problem for investors, who worry that the group is exposing itself to regulatory risks and changing consumer appetites by continuing to focus on unhealthy products. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 14 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, some 83 million Americans — or roughly 1 in 4 — are exposed each year to unhealthy air, according to the group. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 The encounter occurred between one male whale who appeared unhealthy or injured and a strong and healthy male whale, the report stated. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 The ad was widely criticized as being sexist, dystopian, and promoting unhealthy relationship dynamics, and alienated core customers. Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The question is about getting an old friend back, but Carolyn points to an unhealthy dynamic in the friendship that might need mending instead. Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024 In 2024 alone, a quarter of the U.S. population will be exposed to air deemed unhealthy by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a new analysis from environmental research group First Street. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024 In depth, the program also discusses what a relationship is, and what a healthy one looks like compared to an unhealthy one, as well as the brain chemistry behind it. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 The lessons she’s learned After unhealthy relationships with men and her body, Collins is now all about self-love. Sam Gillette, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unhealthy.' 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

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unhealthy was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near unhealthy

Cite this Entry

“Unhealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhealthy. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unhealthy

adjective
un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
1
: not conducive to good health : not healthful
an unhealthy climate
2
: not in good health : sickly, diseased
3
a
: risky, unsound
an unhealthy economy
b
unhealthily adverb
unhealthiness noun

Medical Definition

unhealthy

adjective
un·​healthy -ˈhel-thē How to pronounce unhealthy (audio)
unhealthier; unhealthiest
1
: not conducive to health
an unhealthy climate
2
: not in good health : sickly
unhealthiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unhealthy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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