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

If those with the strongest case to make against injustice could refuse the psychic consolations of victimhood, then there is something especially unbecoming in white Americans learning to speak the language of racial grievance. —Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

Devon Toews made costly mistakes unbecoming of a player of his caliber. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

These interactions may strike federal prosecutors as unbecoming. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Another former aide said that quiet guidance shared among female staffers focused on behavior that is legal, but nevertheless viewed as unprofessional and unbecoming of members of Congress — a line that has prevented many from speaking out publicly. —Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026

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