Unfulfilling: meaning, definitions and examples

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unfulfilling

[ˌʌnfʊlˈfɪlɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Not providing satisfaction or fulfillment; leaving one feeling dissatisfied or unsatisfied.

Synonyms

disappointing, unrewarding, unsatisfying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unfulfilling	Used when describing experiences or tasks that do not provide a sense of achievement or personal growth. Despite the good salary, John found his corporate job unfulfilling. She realized her unfulfilling hobbies were not bringing her joy.
unsatisfying	Used to explain the feeling when something is not fulfilling expectations or desires, often related to taste, interest, or curiosity. The meal was unsatisfying; it lacked flavor and freshness. Her conversation with the author was unsatisfying as many questions remained unanswered.
disappointing	Refers to situations or outcomes that do not meet expectations and lead to feelings of letdown. The movie was highly anticipated but turned out to be disappointing. Her test results were disappointing after all the effort she put in.
unrewarding	Describes actions or jobs that do not provide any material or emotional reward. Volunteering at the animal shelter was not unrewarding, even though it was exhausting work. He found his routine tasks at work utterly unrewarding.

Examples of usage

It was an unfulfilling experience that left me wanting more.
The job turned out to be unfulfilling, and I decided to seek new opportunities.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

result

Not achieving the desired or expected outcome; falling short of expectations or goals.

Synonyms

disappointing, inadequate, unsatisfactory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unfulfilling	Use this when something does not provide a sense of satisfaction or happiness, often referring to personal experiences or jobs. She found her job unfulfilling and decided to look for a new one. Despite the high salary, the work was unfulfilling.
unsatisfactory	Use this when quality or performance is below expectations or standards, often referring to services, products, or work. The customer service here is unsatisfactory. His performance on the task was unsatisfactory.
disappointing	Use this when expectations are not met, leading to feelings of sadness or frustration. This can refer to events, results, or performances. The movie was disappointing; I expected it to be much better. His test scores were disappointing, given how much he studied.
inadequate	Use this when something is not enough or does not meet required standards, often referring to resources, preparation, or ability. The funding for the project was inadequate. She felt her training was inadequate for the demands of the job.

Examples of usage

The project ended in an unfulfilling manner, with incomplete results.
This book had an unfulfilling ending that left readers unsatisfied.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

People often find that activities aligned with their values and interests are more satisfying, while those that don’t align can feel unfulfilling.
Research shows that having a sense of purpose in life can lead to stronger feelings of fulfillment and happiness.
Mental health experts suggest that pursuing hobbies and passions can help reduce feelings of unfulfillment.

Work Culture

Many people report job dissatisfaction when their roles do not match their expected fulfillment, leading to high turnover rates.
Unfulfilling work can lead to burnout, which affects productivity and overall mental well-being.
Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of employee engagement and fulfillment as a key to retaining talent.

Literature

Many authors explore the theme of unfulfillment in literature, showcasing characters that seek deeper meaning in their lives.
Classic novels often depict protagonists feeling unfulfilled in their societal roles, prompting them to embark on journeys of self-discovery.
Poets frequently write about the fleeting sense of happiness and the struggle against feelings of unfulfillment.

Philosophy

Philosophers have debated the nature of fulfillment, questioning what it means to live a 'good life' versus one that feels empty or unfulfilling.
Existentialist thinkers argue that individuals must create their own meaning to avoid feelings of unfulfillment.
The concept of unfulfillment often leads to discussions about happiness and subjective well-being across different cultures.

Translations

Translations of the word "unfulfilling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insatisfatório

🇮🇳 असंतोषजनक

🇩🇪 unbefriedigend

🇮🇩 tidak memuaskan

🇺🇦 незадовільний

🇵🇱 niesatysfakcjonujący

🇯🇵 満たされない

🇫🇷 insatisfaisant

🇪🇸 insatisfactorio

🇹🇷 tatmin edici değil

🇰🇷 불만족스러운

🇸🇦 غير مرضي

🇨🇿 neuspokojivý

🇸🇰 neuspokojivý

🇨🇳 不令人满意的

🇸🇮 neizpolnjujoč

🇮🇸 ófullnægjandi

🇰🇿 қанағаттанарлықсыз

🇬🇪 არასაკმარისი

🇦🇿 qaneedici olmayan

🇲🇽 insatisfactorio

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,586, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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38588 defoliate
38589 fagging
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