eyesore

What it means

1. An eye lesion.
2. A displeasing sight; something prominently ugly or unsightly.

   The building, towering over its surroundings with its square concrete frame and reflective walls of gold-tinted glass, was an eyesore visible throughout the city.

   1 more example

   Two entrants shared this award for their work on two quite different stations, but with the same purpose of bringing a redundant station building back into use for the benefit of the community, with the added result of conserving an historic building. Saltash Town Council bought Saltash station building after it had become very decrepit and 'an eyesore' - such that it was nearly pulled down to make way for housing.

   2021 December 15, Robin Leleux, “Awards honour the best restoration projects: The Network Rail Community Award: Saltash and Stow”, in RAIL, number 946, page 58

   Synonyms: blot · Antonyms: feast for the eyes, eye candy

In a sentence

The building, towering over its surroundings with its square concrete frame and reflective walls of gold-tinted glass, was an eyesore visible throughout the city.

Where it comes from

1. Middle Englisheye sor
2. Englisheyesore

From Middle English eye sor, eie-sor, eyen soore, eæge-sare, equivalent to eye + sore.