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Synonyms

objectionable

American  
[uhb-jek-shuh-nuh-buhl] / əbˈdʒɛk ʃə nə bəl /

adjective

  1. causing or tending to cause an objection, disapproval, or protest.

  2. offending good taste, manners, etiquette, propriety, etc.; offensive.

    objectionable behavior.

    Synonyms:
    odious, vile, offensive, unacceptable

objectionable British  
/ əbˈdʒɛkʃənəbəl /

adjective

  1. unpleasant, offensive, or repugnant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of objectionable

First recorded in 1775–85; objection + -able

Explanation

Objectionable things are unwelcome or disliked. Your objectionable roommate might leave his dirty dishes everywhere, watch TV with the volume turned all the way up, and keep bringing home stray kittens. If you've got a problem with someone's behavior, you can describe it as objectionable. Things like hate speech, bad jokes, and terrible music are all objectionable — obnoxious or even deplorable. In other words, you object to these things. The Latin root of object and objectionable is obiectare, "to oppose" or "to set against," literally meaning "to throw or put against."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing objectionable

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.

See Examples For:

Swalwell also had high favorability ratings, and when he dropped out, Becerra was “seen as the least objectionable of the candidates that were remaining,” Mitchell said.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 1, 2026

Bhamre's complaint, registered on 18 December, accuses Patil of publishing "objectionable content" against a top BJP leader on Facebook.

From BBC Feb. 20, 2026

However, the centralisation of power could mean "advice good for China or the PLA but deemed objectionable to Xi are less likely to be offered", SOAS's Tsang said.

From Barron's Jan. 29, 2026

And the cane on offer seemed especially objectionable.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 18, 2025

There were less objectionable ways to produce oil by-products.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

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