English Reference
Adjective

objectionable

adj.
C1 Advanced US /əbˈdʒɛkʃənəbəɫ/ UK /ɒbdʒˈɛkʃənəbəl/ ob·jec·tion·able

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.


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 noiseThat noise is objectionable to me

Objectionable describes the thing that causes offense, not the person who feels the offense.

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.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

From objection + -able.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated