unsavory

adjective

un·​sa·​vory ˌən-ˈsā-və-rē 

-ˈsāv-rē

1

: insipid, tasteless

2

a

: unpleasant to taste or smell

b

: disagreeable, distasteful

an unsavory assignment

especially : morally offensive

unsavory business practices

Synonyms

• brackish
• distasteful
• unappetizing
• unpalatable
• yucky
• yukky

Examples of unsavory in a Sentence

He is an unsavory character.

an unsavory blend of spices that simply overwhelmed the fish's delicate flavor

Recent Examples on the Web

Even with the city’s waste flowing the other way, the waterway came to be seen as unsafe, or at least unsavory for swimming for much of the latter part of the 20th century and beyond. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2024

Blake said neighborhood moms often directed police to certain blocks because of unsavory activity. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024

Limonov’s unsavory sympathies would likely turn off most Western viewers, apart from the fearless fans of dramas about political monsters. —Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024

Instead, the park has an unsavory reputation, and most city residents avoid it. —Mike Cross-Barnet, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unsavory

adjective

un·​sa·​vory ˌən-ˈsāv(-ə)-rē 

ˈən-

1

: having little or no taste

2

: having a bad taste or smell

3

: morally bad