unbecoming

adjective

un·​be·​com·​ing ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ 

: not becoming

an unbecoming dress

especially : not according with the standards appropriate to one's position or condition of life

unbecoming behavior

conduct that is unbecoming an officer = conduct that is unbecoming of/for an officer

unbecomingly

ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ-lē 

adverb

unbecomingness noun

Synonyms of unbecoming

• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• improper
• incorrect
• wrong
• unfit
• unhappy

Choose the Right Synonym for unbecoming

indecorous, improper, unseemly, unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste.

indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

Examples of unbecoming in a Sentence

That color is very unbecoming on her.

boorish behavior that is unbecoming to an officer

Recent Examples on the Web

Finally on December 2, 1954, by a vote of 67-22, the Senate censured McCarthy for unbecoming conduct. —Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026

Yet Hiller’s latest equivocating mea culpa, with the now-familiar language of hardship and defeatism so unbecoming of a professional hockey team, rang unconvincing. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026

Even so, David’s push for recognition struck some in the industry as unbecoming. —Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

Here’s one from 2000 that was sustained – conduct unbecoming, for his behavior at an old Bickford’s on Gallivan Boulevard in Dorchester. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unbecoming

• overcoming
• becoming
• forthcoming
• homecoming
• incoming
• oncoming
• shortcoming
• succumbing
• upcoming
• coming
• cumming
• drumming

Kids Definition

unbecoming

adjective

un·​be·​com·​ing ˌən-bi-ˈkəm-iŋ 

: not becoming

an unbecoming dress

especially : unsuitable, improper

unbecoming conduct

unbecomingly adverb