Synonyms of unwholesome

unwholesome

adjective

ˌən-ˈhōl-səm 

1

as in poisonous

bad for the well-being of the body

health inspectors shut down several food stands that were using tainted and unwholesome meat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• poisonous
• unhealthful
• toxic
• unhealthy
• noxious
• sickly
• insalubrious
• noisome
• insanitary
• unsanitary
• unhygienic
• lethal
• fatal
• germy
• nonnutritious
• mortal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• healthy
• healthful
• sanitary
• hygienic
• nutritious

2

as in corrupt

having or showing lowered moral character or standards

despite having been raised in such unwholesome environments as a brothel and a traveling circus, singer Edith Piaf rose to international stardom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• corrupt
• degraded
• sick
• depraved
• perverted
• decadent
• unclean
• dissolute
• crooked
• perverse
• loose
• degenerate
• debased
• debauched
• warped
• vicious
• libertine
• dishonest
• immoral
• spoiled
• rakish
• evil
• dissipated
• bad
• demoralized
• wicked
• reprobate
• unscrupulous
• unethical
• unprincipled
• rakehell
• sinful
• contaminated
• jackleg
• iniquitous
• nefarious
• cutthroat
• tainted
• bent
• miscreant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• ethical
• incorruptible
• uncorrupted
• moral
• uncorrupt
• honest
• good
• virtuous
• righteous
• principled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unwholesome

Their jail is strange and unwholesome. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026

Grievous bodily harm, nonconsensual drugging, murder, yes…still, thank god there’s nothing unwholesome here, like say a man in a dress. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026

The public, however, knew what to expect from this unwholesome mixture of politics and celebrity and didn’t tune in. — Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

As for the place, its veneer of comfortable tourism doesn’t hide the air of something unwholesome, especially when female guests start randomly throwing up. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024