1
be unflattering to sb
表示光线、角度、衣服等使某人显得比平时难看或有损形象。
The harsh lighting was unflattering to the singer.
刺眼的灯光让这位歌手显得不好看。
有损形象的；不恭维的
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
有损形象的；不恭维的
making someone or something appear less attractive or favorable than is true
The harsh lighting was unflattering to the singer.
刺眼的灯光让这位歌手显得不好看。
常指照片、描述等让人显得不好看，也指直言不讳的批评。
不奉承的；不讨好的。
Not flattering.
The photo was unflattering, so she asked the photographer to retake it.
那张照片拍得不怎么样，所以她请摄影师重拍了一张。
He gave an unflattering description of the restaurant's service.
他对那家餐厅的服务做了不客气的描述。
The report included some unflattering details about the company's finances.
这份报告包含了一些对公司财务状况不利的细节。
表示光线、角度、衣服等使某人显得比平时难看或有损形象。
The harsh lighting was unflattering to the singer.
刺眼的灯光让这位歌手显得不好看。
动词find后接宾语和形容词补足语，表示主观看法。
I find the mirror in this dressing room unflattering.
我觉得这间更衣室的镜子照出来不好看。
用作定语时，常修饰photo、portrait、comment、description等名词，多用于负面评价。
The magazine printed an unflattering picture of the politician.
那本杂志刊登了一张有损这位政客形象的照片。
Not this
This photo is unflattering her.
Use this
This photo is unflattering to her.
unflattering 是形容词，不是动词，不能像现在分词一样接宾语。汉语“这张照片不恭维她/让她显得难看”容易直译成动词结构，英语要用 be unflattering to somebody 表示“使某人显得不好看”。
Not this
This haircut is unflattering for you.
Use this
This haircut is unflattering to you.
形容词 unflattering 后接介词 to 引出受影响的对象；for 表示目的或受益者，这里受汉语“对”的影响误用了 for。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
有损形象的描绘
The article painted an unflattering portrait of the CEO.
这篇文章对首席执行官的形象描绘得很不讨喜。
不利的角度
The documentary showed the company in an unflattering light.
这部纪录片以有损形象的方式展现了这家公司。
不美观的角度
He refused to be photographed from that unflattering angle.
他拒绝从那个不美观的角度拍照。
不客气的评论
She made some unflattering comments about his cooking.
她对他的厨艺作了一些不客气的评论。
不雅的绰号
The bully gave him an unflattering nickname.
那个恶霸给他起了个不雅的绰号。
不利的比较
Drawing an unflattering comparison between the two actors caused controversy.
把这两位演员进行不利的比较引发了争议。
以令人难堪的方式；使显得不好看
The article shows the singer in an unflattering light.
这篇文章以令人难堪的方式描述了这位歌手。
把（某人/某事）描绘得很糟糕
The documentary painted an unflattering picture of the industry.
这部纪录片把该行业描绘得很糟糕。
不好看的角度
She hates being photographed from an unflattering angle.
她讨厌被从不好看的角度拍到。
Use unflattering naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
记法：un-表否定，flatter是奉承，合起来即不奉承/有损形象——就像一张把你拍丑的照片。
语域：neutral 常见场景：照片或肖像、评论或描述 通常用于描述照片、画像或评论等使人显得不好看或形象受损，属于中性表达，不带有强烈感情色彩，也不限于正式或非正式场合。
押韵词：flattering, battering, clattering, shattering（重读元音 /æ/ 及之后读音相同）。注意：flattery /ˈflætəri/ 虽与 unflattering 词根相近，但结尾是 /ri/ 而非 /rɪŋ/；uncomfortable 虽也以 un- 开头，但重音和结尾都与 unflattering 不同。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.