unsuccessful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A former Yale offensive lineman, he started his career as a high school football coach after an unsuccessful attempt to make the NFL and now describes himself as a “lifelong entrepreneur.”

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

Sadler worked for Steyer in the final weeks of his presidential bid and scheduled $50 million of billionaire Rick Caruso’s money on ads during his unsuccessful 2022 Los Angeles mayoral campaign.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Heather Madrid, 40, a community organizer who led an unsuccessful petition to pause data-center development, said the camp “is going to be just dropped in the middle of a neighborhood.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Many do not inform candidates they have been rejected or provide feedback about why interviews have been unsuccessful, something highlighted in the Milburn report.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

And so Magister Brangwain Spurge, unsuccessful assassin, leaned forward with his elbows on his scrawny knees and began to make his full confession.

From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin