Word
objectionable
Phoneticsob·jec·tion·able
US/əbˈdʒɛkʃənəbəɫ/
UK/ɒbdʒˈɛkʃənəbəl/
Definition
adj. causing people to feel offended or annoyed. You use this to describe something that you strongly dislike or disagree with.
adj. arousing disapproval, offense, or intense dislike. Often used in formal or legal contexts to describe behavior, language, or content that violates social or professional standards.
Examples
“The manager found his rude behavior highly objectionable.”
“The committee removed several objectionable scenes from the film before it was allowed to be shown in theaters.”
“While the proposal was technically sound, the board rejected it on the grounds that the environmental impact was morally objectionable to the local community.”
Examples
simple
“The manager found his rude behavior highly objectionable.”
contextual
“The committee removed several objectionable scenes from the film before it was allowed to be shown in theaters.”
complex
“While the proposal was technically sound, the board rejected it on the grounds that the environmental impact was morally objectionable to the local community.”
Usage
Often modified by adverbs of degree such as 'highly', 'deeply', or 'wholly'.
Pitfall
I am objectionable to that noise
That noise is objectionable to me
Objectionable describes the thing that causes offense, not the person who feels the offense.
Real-World Examples
“Employers, too, will be held accountable if their actions are objectionable or unfair.” “Saudi Arabia has been accused of “sportswashing” , spending on popular sports to distract from its more objectionable behaviour, and seems to be attempting the same with video games.” Etymology
From objection + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/objectionable