unsavory

adjective

un·​sa·​vory ˌən-ˈsā-və-rē How to pronounce unsavory (audio)
-ˈsāv-rē
1
2
a
: unpleasant to taste or smell
b
: disagreeable, distasteful
an unsavory assignment
especially : morally offensive
unsavory business practices

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
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.
The beautiful game has all too often been marred by unsavory incidents of bigotry. Hannah Ryan, CNN Money, 27 June 2025 What follows is an unexpected morality play surrounding not only the complications of bringing Rajesh’s actions to light, but also Maitri’s unsavory methods that sparked this violent eruption, which rest on her bringing harm to another, equally vulnerable woman. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 June 2025 Walters had a friendship with unsavory lawyer Roy Cohn, who pulled strings to make her father’s tax problems go away. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 Nicole, for one, had a history of being accused of unsavory business practices. John McDermott, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsavory

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsavory was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsavory. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

unsavory

adjective
un·​sa·​vory ˌən-ˈsāv(-ə)-rē How to pronounce unsavory (audio)
ˈən-
1
: having little or no taste
2
: having a bad taste or smell
3
: morally bad
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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