unpretty

comparative unprettier · superlative unprettiest

1. Not pretty.

   It is bounded […] by Conduit Avenue, the unpretty highway that moves Brooklyn traffic to Kennedy International Airport.

   2008 March 29, Andy Newman, “Eight Undeveloped Acres and Secret Videotapes Figure in Official’s Trial”, in New York Times

   1 more example

   I wish I could tie you up in my shoes, / Make you feel unpretty too. / I was told I was beautiful / But what does that mean to you?

   1999, “Unpretty”, performed by TLC

   Synonyms: unlovely

present singular third person unpretties · participle present unprettying · participle past unprettied · past unprettied

1. transitiveTo make unpretty or less attractive

   I turned toward him. I wanted to unpretty Simon's prettiness—bloody his outfit, crush his nose, and knock out his teeth.

   2011, Ira Sukrungruang, Talk Thai: The Adventures of Buddhist Boy

   2 more examples

   Vast gloom unprettied the features of Herman Ruth today when he gave himself to serious contemplation of the distressing futility of many things and how increasingly tough it's becoming for an honest feller to get along in this wearying world.

   2006, Leigh Montville, The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth

   I looked around and saw a blond woman wearing old-lady glasses and sitting by herself. It was her. The woman from the modeling spread. It's always a little silly to see pretty women trying to unpretty themselves with glasses.

   2013, Marc Maron, Attempting Normal