When it comes to expressing dissatisfaction, English has a whole range of colorful slang words and phrases to choose from. From mild to extreme, we’ve got you covered with this list of slang for not good. Whether you’re looking to expand your vocabulary or simply want to keep up with the latest lingo, we’ve got the perfect compilation to help you express your dissatisfaction in style. So, get ready to up your slang game and discover some new ways to say “not good”!
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1. Bad
This word is used to describe something that is of poor quality or not desirable. It can also be used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment.
- For example, “The movie was really bad. I wouldn’t recommend watching it.”
- A person might say, “I had a bad experience at that restaurant. The service was terrible.”
- Another might complain, “I’m having a bad day. Everything seems to be going wrong.”
2. Terrible
This word is used to describe something that is of very poor quality or extremely unpleasant. It can also be used to express strong disapproval or dislike.
- For instance, “The weather is terrible today. It’s been raining non-stop.”
- A person might say, “I had a terrible time at the party. The music was too loud and the food was awful.”
- Another might exclaim, “That movie was terrible. I couldn’t wait for it to end.”
3. Awful
This word is used to describe something that is of very poor quality or extremely unpleasant. It can also be used to express strong disapproval or dislike.
- For example, “The food at that restaurant was awful. I couldn’t eat more than a bite.”
- A person might say, “I had an awful experience with customer service. They were rude and unhelpful.”
- Another might comment, “The traffic was awful this morning. I was stuck in it for hours.”
4. Horrible
This word is used to describe something that is of very poor quality or extremely unpleasant. It can also be used to express strong disapproval or dislike.
- For instance, “The smell in the room was horrible. I had to leave immediately.”
- A person might say, “I had a horrible nightmare last night. It felt so real and terrifying.”
- Another might complain, “The service at that hotel was horrible. They never cleaned our room and ignored our requests.”
5. Lousy
This word is used to describe something that is of very poor quality or not satisfactory. It can also be used to express disappointment or frustration.
- For example, “I had a lousy meal at that restaurant. The food was cold and tasteless.”
- A person might say, “I’m feeling lousy today. I have a headache and no energy.”
- Another might comment, “The weather ruined our plans. It’s been a lousy day.”
6. Crappy
This term is often used to describe something that is of low quality or not up to standards.
- For example, “I bought a crappy phone and it keeps freezing.”
- A person might say, “The service at that restaurant was crappy. I won’t be going back.”
- In a review, someone might write, “The movie had a crappy plot and terrible acting.”
7. Trash
This slang term is used to describe something that is considered to be of extremely low quality or value.
- For instance, “That song is complete trash. I can’t stand listening to it.”
- A person might say, “I can’t believe you’re still using that old phone. It’s pure trash.”
- In a discussion about fashion, someone might comment, “That outfit is straight-up trash. Who would wear that?”
8. Garbage
This term is used to describe something that is considered to be of very poor quality or not worth anything.
- For example, “This computer is garbage. It keeps crashing and freezing.”
- A person might say, “I can’t believe I paid so much for this meal. It’s absolute garbage.”
- In a review, someone might write, “The book had a promising premise but turned out to be complete garbage.”
9. Shitty
This term is used to describe something that is considered to be of very low quality or extremely bad.
- For instance, “I had a shitty day at work. Everything went wrong.”
- A person might say, “This hotel room is so shitty. The bed is uncomfortable and the bathroom is dirty.”
- In a discussion about cars, someone might comment, “I regret buying this shitty car. It’s always breaking down.”
10. Dismal
This term is used to describe something that is considered to be very bad or bleak in a depressing way.
- For example, “The weather forecast for tomorrow is dismal. It’s going to rain all day.”
- A person might say, “The team’s performance was dismal. They lost by a huge margin.”
- In a review of a movie, someone might write, “The film had a promising premise but the execution was dismal.”
11. Abysmal
This word is used to describe something that is extremely bad or of very poor quality. It emphasizes the depth of the negativity or disappointment.
- For example, “The team’s performance in the game was abysmal.”
- A movie critic might say, “The acting in this film is abysmal.”
- A disappointed customer might write, “The service at that restaurant was abysmal.”
12. Rotten
This word is used to describe something that is in a state of decay or is of very poor quality. It conveys a strong sense of disgust or disappointment.
- For instance, “The food at that restaurant was rotten.”
- A person might exclaim, “This milk smells rotten!”
- A moviegoer might comment, “The acting in that film was absolutely rotten.”
13. Pathetic
This word is used to describe something or someone that is so inadequate or inferior that it evokes pity or contempt. It conveys a sense of extreme disappointment or disapproval.
- For example, “His attempt at singing was pathetic.”
- A person might say, “I can’t believe you lost to him in a race. That’s pathetic.”
- A disappointed teacher might write, “The students’ performance on the exam was pathetic.”
14. Subpar
This word is used to describe something that is below the expected or desired standard. It suggests that the quality or performance is not up to par.
- For instance, “The team’s performance was subpar this season.”
- A restaurant reviewer might comment, “The food was subpar for the price.”
- A disappointed customer might say, “The service at that store was subpar.”
15. Mediocre
This word is used to describe something that is of only moderate quality or ability. It suggests that the performance or outcome is neither particularly good nor particularly bad.
- For example, “The movie was mediocre; it didn’t impress me but it wasn’t terrible either.”
- A person might say, “His singing is mediocre at best.”
- A disappointed fan might comment, “The team’s performance was mediocre this season.”
16. Wretched
This word is used to describe something that is extremely bad or unpleasant. It conveys a strong sense of dissatisfaction or disappointment.
- For example, “The movie was so wretched that I walked out halfway through.”
- A person might say, “I had a wretched day at work. Everything went wrong.”
- Another might comment, “The hotel room was wretched. It was dirty and smelled awful.”
17. Deficient
This term is used to describe something that is lacking in quality or quantity. It suggests that there is a shortage or insufficiency.
- For instance, “The report was deficient in supporting evidence.”
- A person might say, “His cooking skills are deficient. He can’t even make a decent omelette.”
- Another might comment, “The team’s performance was deficient. They didn’t meet our expectations.”
18. Inferior
This word is used to describe something that is of lower quality or standard compared to something else. It implies that the object or person is not as good as what is considered average or expected.
- For example, “The counterfeit product was clearly inferior to the original.”
- A person might say, “The hotel’s service was inferior. They didn’t address any of our complaints.”
- Another might comment, “The team’s performance was inferior to their rivals. They lost by a large margin.”
19. Defective
This term is used to describe something that is flawed or not functioning correctly. It suggests that there is a defect or problem with the object.
- For instance, “The phone was defective. The screen kept freezing.”
- A person might say, “The car’s brakes were defective. They didn’t work when I needed them.”
- Another might comment, “The toy was defective. It broke after just a few uses.”
20. Flawed
This word is used to describe something that has faults or weaknesses. It suggests that there are imperfections or shortcomings in the object or person.
- For example, “The plan was flawed from the beginning. It didn’t consider all possible outcomes.”
- A person might say, “His argument was flawed. There were logical inconsistencies.”
- Another might comment, “The painting was flawed. There were visible brushstrokes and uneven colors.”
21. Shoddy
Shoddy refers to something that is of low quality or poorly made. It can also describe something that is unreliable or not up to standard.
- For example, “The construction of this building is shoddy. It won’t last long.”
- A person might complain, “I bought this product online and it turned out to be shoddy.”
- Another might say, “The service at that restaurant was so shoddy. I won’t be going back.”
22. Unacceptable
Unacceptable means that something is not satisfactory or suitable. It implies that a certain standard or expectation has not been met.
- For instance, “The behavior of that employee is completely unacceptable.”
- A person might say, “The quality of this product is unacceptable for the price.”
- Another might exclaim, “The amount of pollution in this area is unacceptable!”
23. Unimpressive
Unimpressive refers to something that is not remarkable or noteworthy. It suggests that something fails to make a strong impression or meet expectations.
- For example, “The performance of the team was unimpressive. They didn’t play well.”
- A person might comment, “I expected the movie to be great, but it was really unimpressive.”
- Another might say, “The presentation was unimpressive. It lacked creativity and impact.”
24. Crap
Crap is a slang term used to describe something that is considered nonsense or rubbish. It can also be used to express frustration or disappointment.
- For instance, “Don’t listen to him, he’s just talking crap.”
- A person might exclaim, “This food tastes like crap!”
- Another might say, “I can’t believe I wasted my money on this crap product.”
25. Dull
Dull refers to something that is boring or lacking excitement. It can describe a person, an event, or an object that fails to capture attention or interest.
- For example, “The lecture was so dull. I almost fell asleep.”
- A person might complain, “This book is really dull. Nothing interesting happens.”
- Another might say, “The party was dull. There was no music or dancing.”
26. Not up to par
This phrase is used to describe something that is not at the level of quality or performance that is expected or desired.
- For example, “His performance in the game was not up to par with his usual standards.”
- A teacher might say, “Your essay is not up to par. I expect better work from you.”
- A customer might complain, “The service at that restaurant was not up to par. The food took forever to arrive and was cold when it finally did.”
27. Substandard
This term is used to describe something that is of lower quality or below the expected standard.
- For instance, “The construction of that building was substandard, and it collapsed in a storm.”
- A product reviewer might write, “The materials used in this phone are substandard, leading to a poor user experience.”
- A teacher might say, “Your work is substandard. I expect better effort and results.”
28. Inadequate
This word is used to describe something that is not enough or not up to the required level.
- For example, “The training provided to employees was inadequate, resulting in poor performance.”
- A student might say, “The teacher’s explanation was inadequate. I still don’t understand the concept.”
- A customer might complain, “The portion size of the meal was inadequate. I left the restaurant still hungry.”
29. Pitiful
This term is used to describe something that is extremely sad, pathetic, or deserving of sympathy or pity.
- For instance, “His attempt at singing was pitiful. He couldn’t carry a tune.”
- A person might say, “The state of that homeless person’s shelter is pitiful. They deserve better.”
- A movie reviewer might write, “The acting in that film was pitiful. It felt forced and lacked emotion.”
30. Deplorable
This word is used to describe something that is extremely bad, unacceptable, or deserving of strong disapproval.
- For example, “The conditions in that prison are deplorable. It’s a violation of human rights.”
- A person might say, “The way she treated her employees was deplorable. She yelled and belittled them.”
- A news article might describe a crime as “a deplorable act of violence.”
31. Unfavorable
This term is used to describe something that is not good or unfavorable. It indicates a negative or undesirable outcome or situation.
- For example, “The weather forecast for the weekend is unfavorable, with heavy rain expected.”
- A person might say, “I had an unfavorable experience at that restaurant. The service was terrible.”
- In a discussion about a business decision, someone might comment, “The unfavorable market conditions led to a decline in sales.”