Comparisons Wiki

Inacceptable vs. Unacceptable: The Correct Spellings

Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on February 28, 2024
Inacceptable is an incorrect spelling. The correct spelling is "unacceptable," which means not satisfactory or allowable.
Inacceptable vs. Unacceptable

Which is correct: Inacceptable or Unacceptable

How to spell Unacceptable?
Incorrect Spelling

Inacceptable

Correct Spelling

Unacceptable

Is it Inacceptable or Unacceptable

The word "unacceptable" has its roots in the verb "accept" combined with the negating prefix "un-." The most direct form derived from "unacceptable" is "accept," with other related words including "acceptance" and "acceptably."
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023
When choosing between "inacceptable" and "unacceptable," the correct and widely accepted term is "unacceptable." The prefix "un-" in English is commonly used to indicate the negative or opposite of the original word, making "unacceptable" the standard term for something that cannot be accepted. The term "inacceptable" may arise from confusion with other words that use the "in-" prefix for negation, like "inaccurate" or "inadequate."
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023
To remember the spelling of "unacceptable," consider other words that start with the prefix "un-," like "unaware" or "unwilling." These words and their meanings can serve as reminders that "un-" is the appropriate prefix for "unacceptable."
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023

How Do You Spell Unacceptable Correctly?

Incorrect: The behavior displayed is completely inacceptable.
Correct: The behavior displayed is completely unacceptable.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
Incorrect: It's inacceptable to arrive so late to an important meeting.
Correct: It's unacceptable to arrive so late to an important meeting.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
Incorrect: Your excuse is inacceptable in this situation.
Correct: Your excuse is unacceptable in this situation.
Elijah
Feb 28, 2024
Incorrect: Such results are inacceptable for the standards we set.
Correct: Such results are unacceptable for the standards we set.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
Incorrect: The quality of this work is inacceptable.
Correct: The quality of this work is unacceptable.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024

Unacceptable Definitions

Not adequate; insufficient in degree.
The quality of these products is unacceptable.
William
Sep 20, 2023
Causing disapproval or protest.
His comments were unacceptable to many in the audience.
Muazma Batool
Sep 20, 2023
Not suitable or agreeable in character or quality.
The employee's behavior was deemed unacceptable by management.
Muazma Batool
Sep 20, 2023
Not meeting necessary requirements or standards.
Your current performance level is unacceptable for this position.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Not permissible or allowable.
Smoking in this area is unacceptable.
Kaitlyn
Sep 20, 2023
Not acceptable; unsatisfactory.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
unsatisfactory; not acceptable
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
(linguistics) not conforming to accepted usage
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Something that is not acceptable.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Not acceptable; not pleasing; not welcome; unpleasant; disagreeable; displeasing; offensive.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
not adequate to give satisfaction;
the coach told his players that defeat was unacceptable
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
not acceptable; not welcome;
a word unacceptable in polite society
an unacceptable violation of personal freedom
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
used of persons or their behavior;
impossible behavior
insufferable insolence
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
not conforming to standard usage;
the following use of `access' was judged unacceptable by a panel of linguists; `You can access your cash at any of 300 automatic tellers'
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Unacceptable Meaning in a Sentence

The company deemed the proposal unacceptable and requested revisions.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
It is unacceptable to speak to others in a disrespectful manner.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
Arriving over an hour late to the event is unacceptable.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
Submitting work after the deadline is unacceptable in this course.
Olivia
Feb 28, 2024
Selling products of such low quality is unacceptable.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
The level of noise in the library became unacceptable.
Levi
Feb 28, 2024
The team's performance was considered unacceptable by the coach.
Jonathan
Feb 28, 2024
The customer service at the restaurant was unacceptable.
Leo
Feb 28, 2024
The condition of the apartment was unacceptable to the new tenants.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
It's unacceptable to break the rules of the game.
Leo
Feb 28, 2024
It is unacceptable to ignore safety protocols on the construction site.
Leo
Feb 28, 2024
Using someone else's work without credit is absolutely unacceptable.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
The treatment of the animals at the facility was deemed unacceptable.
Nolan
Feb 28, 2024
Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable in our community.
Lucas
Feb 28, 2024
The use of outdated references in the research paper is unacceptable.
Jonathan
Feb 28, 2024
Failing to apologize for a mistake is unacceptable.
Jonathan
Feb 28, 2024
It is unacceptable to use a mobile phone while driving.
Levi
Feb 28, 2024
For a professional athlete, such a lack of effort is unacceptable.
Leo
Feb 28, 2024
The argument presented was illogical and therefore unacceptable.
Olivia
Feb 28, 2024
The conditions in the prison were found to be unacceptable.
Leo
Feb 28, 2024
Bullying in any form is unacceptable at our school.
William
Feb 28, 2024
Parking in handicap spots without a permit is unacceptable.
Levi
Feb 28, 2024
The level of pollution in the river has reached an unacceptable level.
William
Feb 28, 2024
Leaving trash in the park is unacceptable behavior.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024
It is unacceptable for a teacher to show favoritism towards any student.
Leo
Feb 28, 2024

Unacceptable Idioms

Cross the line of unacceptable

To do something that is beyond what is considered acceptable or appropriate.
His comments during the meeting really crossed the line of unacceptable.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 28, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the term "unacceptable" come from?

"Unacceptable" combines the verb "accept" with the negating prefix "un-." It denotes something that cannot be accepted.
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023

What's a mnemonic to remember the spelling of "unacceptable"?

Think of other words with the "un-" prefix, like "unaware" or "unwilling," to remember the correct form.
Leo
Dec 19, 2023

Is there a difference in meaning between inacceptable and unacceptable?

Both terms convey the idea of something not being acceptable, but "unacceptable" is the standard and widely used form in English.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023

Is "inacceptable" ever used in modern English?

"Inacceptable" is not the standard form and is rarely used, but might occasionally be seen in older texts or by non-native speakers.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023

What is the correct spelling: inacceptable or unacceptable?

The correct spelling is "unacceptable." The term "inacceptable" is a less common variant but is not the standard form.
Muazma Batool
Dec 19, 2023

Are there other forms of the word "unacceptable"?

Yes, related words include "accept," "acceptance," and "acceptably."
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023

Why is "unacceptable" more widely accepted than "inacceptable"?

"Unacceptable" follows the common English convention of using the "un-" prefix to denote negation, making it more familiar to speakers.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 19, 2023

How can I ensure I always use the correct form of "unacceptable"?

Practice using the word in sentences and remind yourself of the "un-" prefix's meaning, which denotes negation.
Lucas
Dec 19, 2023

Does the prefix "in-" ever denote negation in English?

Yes, in some words like "inaccurate" or "inadequate," the "in-" prefix indicates negation.
Nolan
Dec 19, 2023

Can something be both unacceptable and inacceptable?

In meaning, yes, but "unacceptable" is the standard term you'd want to use in most contexts.
Leo
Dec 19, 2023

Content Creators

Written by
Muneeza Rehman
At Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma Batool
As a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.

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