unenviable
gb/ʌnˈɛnvˌiəbəl/ us/ʌnˈɛnvˌiəbəl/
C1
Inglés
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
C1
property
1
undesirable because difficult or unpleasant
Not good or attractive, because it is hard or unpleasant.
Patrón de uso:
an unenviable [task/position/situation]; be in an unenviable [position/situation]
Error frecuente:
Often used about a role or situation, not about a person’s character (say “an unenviable job,” not usually “an unenviable person”).
Sinónimos
undesirable (General word for something you wouldn’t want.)
|
thankless (Highlights lack of appreciation or reward.)
|
awkward (Suggests social or practical difficulty and discomfort.)
|
difficult (Focuses on hardship more than lack of appeal.)
Antónimos
enviable (Describes a situation others would like to have.)
|
desirable (Generally wanted or attractive.)
Colocaciones
unenviable position
|unenviable situation
|unenviable task
|unenviable job
|unenviable role
|unenviable dilemma
|unenviable responsibility
|unenviable choice
|rather unenviable
|truly unenviable
Temas
emotions
|work
|social_relations
Ejemplos
- She found herself in the unenviable position of having to choose between two close friends.
- Taking over the project after the budget cuts was an unenviable task.
- He has the unenviable job of delivering the bad news to customers.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I’m in an unenviable situation at work.
- It’s an unenviable job.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
notable for something negative
Famous for something bad, not something good.
Patrón de uso:
an unenviable [record/reputation/distinction]
Error frecuente:
Common with nouns like “record,” “reputation,” and “distinction,” often in news writing.
Sinónimos
shameful (Stronger; implies moral blame or disgrace.)
|
unflattering (Milder; suggests it reflects badly rather than being disastrous.)
|
ignominious (More literary/formal; emphasizes humiliation.)
Antónimos
admirable (Worthy of respect or praise.)
|
creditable (Deserving approval, especially in public view.)
Colocaciones
unenviable record
|unenviable reputation
|unenviable distinction
|unenviable title
|unenviable statistic
|unenviable ranking
|unenviable rate
|unenviable achievement
|an unenviable label
|an unenviable history
Temas
news
|society
|business
Ejemplos
- The city has an unenviable record for air pollution.
- The company gained an unenviable reputation for poor customer service.
- He holds the unenviable distinction of being the youngest person ever dismissed from the post.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The team has an unenviable record this season.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
unenviable
AFI
GB/ʌnˈɛnvˌiəbəl/
US/ʌnˈɛnvˌiəbəl/
Sílabas y acento
un - en - vi - able (4 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (en)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: unenviable
Expresiones
have the unenviable distinction of
1/hˈæv ðə ʌnˈɛnvˌiəbəl dɪstˈɪŋkʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
be notable for something bad
To be famous for something bad.
Ejemplos
- The airport has the unenviable distinction of being the worst-rated in the survey.
- He has the unenviable distinction of losing three finals in a row.
in an unenviable position
1/ˈɪn ən ʌnˈɛnvˌiəbəl pəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
stuck in a difficult situation
In a situation that is hard and not pleasant.
Ejemplos
- After the leak, the manager was in an unenviable position with both staff and executives angry.
- She was in an unenviable position of defending a decision she hadn’t made.
the unenviable task of
1/ðə ʌnˈɛnvˌiəbəl tˈæsk əv/
fixed phrase
difficult or thankless job
A job that is hard and not enjoyable.
Ejemplos
- HR has the unenviable task of cutting costs without losing key staff.
- He was given the unenviable task of telling the team the project was cancelled.