What does unappeased mean?
Unappeased means not satisfied, placated, or calmed. It describes a person who remains displeased despite an apology, explanation, concession, or attempt to make a situation better. The word can also apply to an appetite, concern, or feeling that continues to trouble someone. Its connotations are more emphatic and somewhat literary than those of ordinary words such as dissatisfied: it suggests that an effort to resolve the problem has not succeeded. In formal writing, unappeased is especially useful after a verb such as remain, appear, or leave, as in “the audience remained unappeased.” It is less common in everyday conversation, where dissatisfied or upset would usually be preferred. Because unappeased is built directly from appease, it conveys the idea of being unsatisfied in a broader sense, while still emphasizing the failure of reassurance or appeasement.
adjectiveNot appeased or satisfied; still displeased, dissatisfied, or unsettled, especially despite an attempted reassurance or concession.
- Not appeased, placated, or satisfied; still displeased or dissatisfied.
"Despite the apology, she remained unappeased and refused to discuss the matter further."
"The committee remained unappeased by the company's explanation."
"Her unappeased appetite made another helping of dessert seem irresistible."
An appetite can be unappeased: a sandwich may silence hunger, but only the right meal can truly satisfy it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of unappeased
Unappeased was formed in English by adding the prefix un- to appease, in the same broad pattern as many English negative adjectives formed from verbs. Appease comes through Middle English from Old French apaiser and Medieval Latin adpaciare, built from ad- and Latin pacare, meaning “to make peaceful.” Its related forms include pacify, appeasement, and pacific, all reflecting the same Latin root associated with peace and placation.
Related word forms
How unappeased is actually used
Relatively formal and literary; dissatisfied is more common in everyday speech. The word often describes someone who remains unhappy after an apology, explanation, or offer, but it can also describe an appetite or feeling that has not been calmed.
Easily confused with unappeased
Unappeased means not placated or made satisfied, whereas unappealed usually means not appealed to or not subject to an appeal.