unsavory

adjective

ˌən-ˈsā-və-rē How to pronounce unsavory (audio)
Definition of unsavorynext
1
as in distasteful
disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste an unsavory blend of spices that simply overwhelmed the fish's delicate flavor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable unsavory doings that ruined the couple's good name in the community

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses hated the whole unsavory business of firing people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bland
lacking in taste or flavor the unsavory food dished up at the rest area's restaurant should be consumed only by the truly desperate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unsavory One of his more unsavory comments came in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder, though. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 Continuing any unsavory conduct right under my nose is probably a form of calling my bluff at this point. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 19 July 2026 Social media has teemed with unsavory videos of Argentinean misbehavior in the stadiums, including fans hurling racial epithets at a Black American influencer and showering Egyptians with beer. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026 Moreover, a host of unsavory characters from Britain’s criminal underworld want a piece of the operation. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
  1. distasteful
  2. immoral
  3. unpleasant
  4. bland
  5. unappetizing
  6. unlawful
  7. unpleasing
  8. thin
Adjective
  • For some, evoking death and sacrifice was perplexing and distasteful; a step too far.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026
  • South Florida beaches have been inundated by waves of sargassum in recent weeks — while visually distasteful to some, the seaweed is not usually harmful to humans, and occupies a critical niche in marine ecosystems.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Definition of distasteful
Adjective
  • Heilbrun was speaking to his evaluation of Clancy’s case and her understanding of what is immoral.
    — NBC News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026
  • According to experts, this device could rot my brain, influence me to commit immoral acts, and even ruin my eyesight.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • Activewear After sweating it out in your beloved activewear, avoid using the hotter temperatures in the washing machine to sanitize and remove unpleasant odors.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The mediocre screen was an unpleasant surprise given that this thing advertised 100 percent sRGB gamut coverage when it was announced and on its product page for many weeks (the Internet Archive captures it here).
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • The desperate-sounding call that an eagle named Shadow let out early one morning, after his mate, Jackie, had gone missing, was not a bland biological fact.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Although when seen up close or for prolonged periods, the digital dinos are remarkably bland and unimpressive — I was reminded of the notoriously bad CGI in the woeful Ray Bradbury movie A Sound of Thunder (2005).
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • This results in a watery, unappetizing texture, according to Southern Living.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The sugars react during high-heat cooking, causing potatoes to brown excessively and develop an unappetizing dark color or blotchy brown patches.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of unappetizing
Adjective
  • Legal experts say such a move would probably be swiftly blocked by courts, as would any unlawful deployment of military troops to polls.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The suit alleges that Paramount’s unlawful termination has caused him some $4 million in economic damages.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • The identity of the unpleasing Lindsay Marriott’s slayer has no pressing interest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of unpleasing
Adjective
  • With a steely disposition, Dikha is seen in the videos standing at the very front of a thin boat, executing a repetitive series of dance moves as a line of rowers propel them through a river.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The mountain of seafood comes with a little sidecar of very thin, very crispy potato chips, seemingly for the hell of it, and a bottle of tart, fiery homemade hot sauce.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of thin

Browse Nearby Words

unsatisfied
unsavory
unsay
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Cite this Entry

“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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