Disagreeable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disagreeable

[ˌdɪs.əˈɡriː.ə.bəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or attitude

Not pleasant or enjoyable; causing discomfort or annoyance.

Synonyms

distasteful, unfavorable, unpleasant, unwelcome.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disagreeable	Use this word when something is generally unpleasant or offensive, often in terms of personality or behavior. He had a disagreeable attitude that made everyone uncomfortable
unpleasant	Use this word to describe something that causes discomfort or annoyance, whether it's a situation, smell, taste, etc. The room had an unpleasant odor that made it difficult to stay there
unwelcome	This word is suited for situations where something is not wanted or received poorly, often involving guests or interventions. His comments at the meeting were unwelcome and created tension
distasteful	This word is best used when describing something that causes a feeling of dislike or aversion, often related to moral or aesthetic aspects. Her choice of jokes was distasteful and offended many people
unfavorable	This term is appropriate when talking about situations or conditions that are not advantageous or beneficial. The weather forecast looks unfavorable for our weekend plans

Examples of usage

It was an disagreeable experience for him.
She had an disagreeable attitude towards her colleagues.
The weather turned disagreeable, with dark clouds and strong winds.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

personality

Not easy to get along with; difficult or stubborn.

Synonyms

cranky, difficult, obstinate, uncooperative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disagreeable	Used to describe something or someone that is unpleasant or causes discomfort. Common in both describing personalities and situations. The weather has been particularly disagreeable these past few days. He can be quite disagreeable when things don't go his way.
difficult	Describes someone or something that is hard to deal with or manage. Can refer to tasks, people, or situations. The project was more difficult than we initially thought. He's known to be a difficult person to work with.
obstinate	Used to describe someone who stubbornly refuses to change their opinion or behavior, even if they are being unreasonable. Often carries a negative connotation. Despite all the evidence, he remained obstinate in his beliefs. She can be quite obstinate when she thinks she's right.
uncooperative	Describes someone who is unwilling to work with others or follow instructions. Often used in professional or group work scenarios. The witness was uncooperative during the investigation. Our customer service team finds him uncooperative whenever there's an issue.
cranky	Often used to describe someone who is irritable, especially when tired or not feeling well. It can sometimes be used affectionately, especially with children. She gets cranky when she doesn't get enough sleep. The baby is a bit cranky because he's teething.

Examples of usage

He can be quite disagreeable when he's in a bad mood.
Her disagreeable nature made it hard for others to work with her.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

People often perceive others as disagreeable based on their tone of voice and body language, not just their words.
Studies show that agreeable people are typically better at forming relationships, while disagreeable individuals may struggle with social bonds.

Literature

Disagreeable characters often provide conflict in stories, driving plots by opposing the protagonists.
Classic literature frequently features disagreeable figures as foils to more agreeable heroes, enhancing the narrative's moral lessons.

Cultural References

In many cultures, being labeled as disagreeable can carry social stigma, often leading to isolation or exclusion from group dynamics.
Disagreeable people in films and books are often portrayed as villains, illustrating the human tendency to favor agreeable traits.

Pop Culture

Several famous comedians use the archetype of a disagreeable character in their routines, creating humor through contrast with more agreeable personas.
Television shows often feature the 'disagreeable friend' character who brings conflict and humor to the group dynamic.

Origin of 'disagreeable'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Middle French 'désagréable', which means 'not pleasing'.
In English, it has been used since the 17th century to describe something or someone bad-tempered or unkind.

The word 'disagreeable' originated from the combination of 'dis-' (meaning 'not') and 'agreeable', dating back to the late 16th century. Originally used to describe something that was not agreeable or pleasant, it has since evolved to also describe difficult or stubborn personalities. The term has remained popular in English language usage due to its versatility in describing various unpleasant or uncooperative situations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,055, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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