undesirable
undesirable Lexical Profile
undesirable Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not wanted or wished for because of being harmful, unpleasant, or objectionable.
"The medication was recalled after patients reported several undesirable side effects."
• noun
A person considered objectionable or unwanted by a particular community, group, or authority (usually used in the plural and often derogatory).
"The exclusionary zoning laws were criticized as a veiled attempt to keep supposed undesirables out of the neighborhood."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a noun (usually in the plural, 'undesirables'), the word carries a strongly pejorative and dehumanizing tone, historically used by authorities or elitist groups to label marginalized people as social outcasts.
• Rhymes for undesirable
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in English in the late 17th century from the prefix 'un-' (not) and 'desirable', which derives from Old French 'desirable' and ultimately from Latin 'desiderare' (to long for or wish for).